PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected due to a current diagnosis and the link between his reported in-service stressor and his symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus II, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating due to unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as their relationship to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was productive of occupational and social impairment prior to October 5, 2012.,From October 5, 2012, the disability resulted in reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI have not been rated appropriately, and a remand is ordered to obtain updated medical evidence and determine the current severity of these conditions.

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of upper respiratory infections was denied.,The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a heart disability was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and insomnia, as well as chronic left ankle sprain, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and review of the Veteran's claims file, particularly regarding his claimed anxiety disorder and PTSD. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been reopened and is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claimed stressor.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and PTSD have been granted service connection, but the left shoulder condition has a 30% rating.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD and its relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a rating of 70 percent, effective July 14, 2016. The effective date for the higher rating remains pending as it is based on the filing of a noninitial claim.

The Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claim for headaches has been granted. The Board has also remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim, but remands for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied. The Board also finds that the issue of service connection for sleep apnea needs to be remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to November 4, 2013. The rating will be reduced to 50 percent from that date.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disorder and granted it. The psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with a compensable rating denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD and hypertension has been granted. The Veteran will receive the appropriate compensation based on his service-connected conditions.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD has not been established.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder, right hip and knee disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU due to the combined effect of these disabilities.