PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and he is granted service connection.,There is no evidence of left foot fungus beginning during active service or being related to an in-service injury. The claim for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, right foot disability, and back disability have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection has been granted for PTSD with MDD and GAD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder, major depressive disorder, and other specified trauma/stressor-related disorder (subthreshold PTSD), as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's in-service sexual assault.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding the severity, frequency and duration of symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic disorder and depressive disorder is granted at a 70 percent evaluation, effective March 14, 2019. The Veteran also received an award of TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to December 3, 2010 resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. A rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation higher than 60 percent for ischemic heart disease is denied.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for additional examination to determine the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD and sleep apnea are granted service connection. COPD, hypertension, and a headache condition are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, joint pain (claimed as pain in all joints shoulder down to feet), sleep apnea, hypertension, and posttraumatic stress disorder due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder is granted as the evidence supports a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional verification of in-service stressors, as well as a review of his psychiatric records. The matter of service connection for Depressive Disorder will also be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine the nature and etiology of all diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including whether any are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The issue of a higher rating for specified anxiety disorder with depressed mood and the TDIU rating are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from March 5, 2010. A TDIU was granted as of July 1, 2010.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant (substitute). The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal at this time.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from December 2015 to January 2019, and the Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating. The case is remanded for further development regarding his PTSD from January 2019 onwards.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his back condition was denied. The appeal to reopen a previously denied PTSD claim is remanded.