PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied due to lack of in-service disease or injury. The new evidence received does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder, was granted. His claim for a higher rating for inguinal hernias residuals is denied, and the request for TDIU on an extraschedular basis is also denied.

The Board has determined that a more contemporaneous VA examination is required to properly assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and PTSD. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions are being remanded.

The claim for a higher rating for PTSD is denied.,The claim to reopen the service connection for left elbow arthritis is denied.,Service connection for esophageal cancer due to herbicide exposure has been granted.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 30, 2015 is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss from September 30, 2015 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been granted.,Service connection for the cause of death (esophageal cancer) due to herbicide exposure has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% disability rating, which is the maximum available under VA guidelines. Additionally, he was awarded a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the beginning of the appeal period, and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo another VA examination to assess his current severity of PTSD, as well as provide updated treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU based on this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various musculoskeletal conditions, hearing loss, tinnitus, heart condition, Parkinson’s disease, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, depression) have all been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% rating for the initial period from May 20, 1993 to March 6, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) and respiratory condition due to asbestos exposure are being addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of other symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to a service connected disability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran needs further examination and verification of stressor events.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD was denied, and the case is remanded due to a TDIU claim being raised.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and sleep impairments, is found to be related to his service. The cervical spine disability, left hand disability, and right hand disability are not considered to have originated during service or are otherwise linked to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine, right total knee replacement, left total hip replacement, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, PTSD, and TDIU are all granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to be sufficiently severe to produce unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is etiologically related to his military service and grants this claim.