PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The claim for service connection of a right ankle disability is not reopened, and the claim for an increased rating of PTSD is granted to a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The case is remanded due to the raised claim of entitlement to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional information and examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, cervical spondylosis C5-C6 and C6-C7, eczema, hearing loss, low back degenerative disc disease, PTSD, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, right shoulder rotator cuff pathology, and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Effective dates for the above conditions have been set at December 16, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons or bases for its determination regarding an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and the issue of TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is being evaluated again, and a statement of the case needs to be issued for the issues of higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings were dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals. The appeal for PTSD was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records related to the Veteran's PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including a TDIU claim. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected TBI with tension headaches and PTSD are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, MDD, and bipolar disorder are remanded due to the need to corroborate his in-service stressors. The claim for service connection of OSA as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder is held in abeyance pending development.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, finding no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral knee, right eye, and left eye disabilities due to the Veteran's discharge under other than honorable conditions. The Board also remanded issues regarding a right shoulder disability, residuals of deviated septum, skin disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression).

The Veteran's PTSD was found to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent prior to August 13, 2015. From that date forward, the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, with posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent. The Board found that the symptoms more closely approximate a 70 percent rating but not a higher one.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and PTSD.,An effective date prior to January 26, 2016, for the grant of service connection for a healed right fifth metacarpal fracture was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his posttraumatic stress disorder. The examiner needs to provide a new opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left leg peripheral neuropathy was denied, but he is entitled to a 20% disability rating. The issue of entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to PTSD was dismissed as moot because the Veteran already has a 100% schedular rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) addressing the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The SSOC must be issued by the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety is related to his service in Vietnam, including witnessing death and serious injury of fellow service members. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.