PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied as there was no indication of any prior claims and the claim was not within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 2005. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 70% or 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for eczema was denied. The Veteran received a 40% rating for his lumbar spine condition, effective January 28, 2010. His claims for chronic sinusitis, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and total disability based on individual unemployability were all granted.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center on August 12, 2013 were denied because the services were not rendered in a 'medical emergency' and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD, is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of posttraumatic stress disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and mild major depressive disorder have not caused the level of impairment required for a disability rating higher than 30 percent during the appellate period, resulting in an effective denial of his request for a noninitial increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the correct diagnosis of his mental health conditions.

The Board has granted restoration of the prior 70 percent rating for PTSD effective August 1, 2015. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was evaluated at a 70 percent rating since September 21, 2011. The Board found that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation as it did not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a back condition and PTSD due to inadequate VA examinations and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran will need to undergo further evaluations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any such condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is now pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 80 percent combined, but the Board finds that they do not render him unemployable due to his education and work experience. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disorders, headache disorder, and arthritis of the left knee.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine was denied due to lack of evidence showing a link between his current condition and military service. The claim for PTSD has been reopened, but not granted as there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred.,The Veteran's claims for left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, tinea pedis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were all denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred during or related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and that the Veteran's symptoms were better accounted for by his depression rather than PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for heart attack, a higher rating for PTSD, and TDIU due to the Veteran's death.