PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for blurred vision, bilateral hearing loss, dizziness, inhalation injury, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, sleep apnea, GERD, status post excision benign skin mass on the right wrist with residual scar, headache disability, left cubital and carpal tunnel syndrome, right cubital and carpal tunnel syndrome, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD have all been dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals by the Veteran.,The Veteran's appeals for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and granted initial ratings for various conditions, including left shoulder DJD, left knee DJD, right knee DJD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left and right ankle DJD, and hiatal hernia with GERD. The claim of service connection for a left elbow disorder was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for PTSD. The claim for service connection was denied due to lack of evidence linking the current low back disability to active service, while the claim for an increased rating for PTSD was also denied as there were no symptoms that met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been reopened and is now pending. The Board finds new and material evidence in the form of updated VA treatment records indicating a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that his current psychiatric disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support his claims.,The Veteran was previously denied service connection for various conditions and now seeks reopening of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depression. The decision is based on the need for a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and consideration of the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent from December 1, 2014 forward.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found no credible evidence linking the current symptoms to an in-service stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, finding that no CUE was present in the October 2012 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's employment status during the relevant appeals period. The Veteran is required to complete a current VA Form 21-8940, including his employment history from 2010 to 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his aortic valve replacement disability remains at 30 percent. Both conditions are denied for increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and tinnitus) have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, was granted a 100 percent disability rating from March 31, 2016 to March 31, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with alcohol use disorder is being remanded to determine if there was CUE in a July 2011 rating decision, and whether VA had a duty to obtain a VA examination.

The Veteran's death was due to ischemic heart disease presumed caused by herbicide exposure. The appellant did not have a pending claim at the time of her husband's death, so she is not entitled to accrued benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that he was engaged in substantial gainful employment prior to October 21, 2011.