PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, but denied service connection for plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 11, 2012 for service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of initial evaluation for PTSD prior to April 21, 2017 and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Barrett’s esophagus with hiatal hernia, respiratory disability (including restricted lung capacity and chronic bronchitis), sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right nephrolithiasis, and PTSD was denied.,PTSD received an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including a VA PTSD examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU are being addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his active service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing impairment meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's TBI was evaluated at a 40 percent rating, with an additional 100 percent evaluation for PTSD. The headaches were separately rated at 50 percent effective August 16, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD, dementia with memory loss, and PTSD to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service-connected non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.,For GERD, the VA examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether it was at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by the service-connected condition. For dementia with memory loss and PTSD, the examiner should address the Veteran's reported stressors in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression) was dismissed because she agreed with the assigned 70 percent disability rating, which covers the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service or a stressor during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye condition is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such.,For the back disability, the Veteran’s symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 20 percent.,The claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus is denied as it does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.,For restrictive airway disease, the Veteran’s manifestations do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 30 percent.,The claim for an increased evaluation for hemorrhoids is denied as it does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 20 percent.,For PTSD, the Veteran’s symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 70 percent.,The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there are no legal grounds to grant such.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from October 28, 2008, and denied a higher rating.,For the period from July 27, 2016, to present, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request.,His PTSD claim is denied with a rating of 50 percent, which is the highest disability rating available under the criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder including bipolar disorder and depression (other than PTSD), and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as there was no clear and unmistakable error in the May 31, 1991 rating decision that granted service connection for PTSD. The effective date of December 20, 1990 (later amended to December 4, 1990) is not earlier than when entitlement arose.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for blackouts has been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,His claim for a higher rating for his gunshot wound to the right buttock, muscle group XVII, is also denied.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted service connection as it is due to his already service-connected back disability. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are not rated higher than 70 percent, and TDIU from November 12, 2015 to July 7, 2016 is granted.

The Veteran's IBS was not rated at a compensable level from May 14, 2010 to July 17, 2012. The Veteran's PTSD with panic disorder is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected ingrown toenails are rated at a 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7804, effective from the date of the decision.,The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches are rated at a 30 percent under DC 8100, effective from the date of the decision. The Board has also remanded for further development regarding service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression.

The Board has granted service connection for a variety of psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's combat service.

The claim for service connection for skin cancer is dismissed. The claims of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are granted.