PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD was dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD with a major depressive disorder (MDD), is granted. The Veteran's asthma is rated at 60 percent and his TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, glaucoma, and partial fusion of the cervical spine are remanded as they require further examination to determine their etiology.,Service connection is denied for left shoulder degenerative joint disease, peripheral vascular disease of the lower left extremity, and peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 3, 2013 for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher disability rating for PTSD due to outstanding medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's mental health diagnoses and their relation to service. The Veteran will need a new examination to clarify these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the validity of the stressors claimed by the Veteran and the need for a VA examination to determine if PTSD is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for their psychiatric disability is remanded. The appeal regarding a higher rating for hypothyroidism is also remanded due to missing VA treatment records and the need for clarification of thyroid nodules.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his short-term memory loss is service connected to PTSD. The Veteran's irritable bowel/colon syndrome has not been linked to his military service.,The Board found no evidence of a compensable rating for the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss due to current audiometric findings.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, insomnia, and anxiety due to lack of evidence linking the current disabilities to service.,Service connection for hypertension was also denied as there is no direct link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and right hip strain were granted effective September 30, 2013. The PTSD was rated at 70 percent, while the right hip strain was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and social anxiety. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's right knee condition and PTSD are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and assigned an effective date of June 18, 1996. The decision found no clear and unmistakable error in the original denial of service connection due to a failure to apply the Combat Presumption correctly.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and his neck and left shoulder disabilities, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The case is remanded for obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee strain, right knee strain, PTSD, lower back pain, sleep problems, and bronchitis due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination reports.,Specifically, the Veteran's complete medical records must be obtained, including VA treatment records since December 2014. A new VA examination is required for her knees, PTSD, low back condition, sleep disorder, and respiratory disorders.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent, and a higher rating is denied. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than chronic adjustment disorder, to include major depressive disorder and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of TBI, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and PTSD are denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI and PTSD are remanded for further development including VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of migraines associated with a TBI is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting information about the Veteran's receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits for his psychiatric disability. The SSA records need to be obtained and reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete search of unit records for the Veteran's in-service stressor. The Veteran served with the 598th Transportation Company from January 1967 to August 1968, and a comprehensive search is needed for the months of January 1968 through August 1968.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for PTSD, allergic rhinitis, and herpes zoster was withdrawn. Service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is granted.