PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right and left lower extremities, as secondary to herbicide exposure have been reopened. The claim for PTSD has resulted in a grant of an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for updated treatment records. The Veteran also asserts that his PTSD has worsened, necessitating a reevaluation of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's child is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits because she was over the age of 26 when her father was found to have a permanent and total disability due to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The claim for infertility due to exposure at Camp Lejeune is remanded, and the TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, is granted. The Board found that the evidence now shows the Veteran has a psychiatric disability due to his service experiences.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% and a TDIU is granted from July 26, 2016 to January 27, 2018. The Board finds the evidence is in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran can obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for shortness of breath is denied as there is no evidence of any impairment due to this symptom.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, bilateral shin splints, a right shoulder condition, a back condition, sinus conditions, sleep apnea, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine DJD and DDD, lumbosacral strain with DJD and DDD, left ankle sprain with ruptured Achilles tendon, allergic rhinitis, right lower extremity varicose veins, left lower extremity varicose veins, left upper extremity radiculopathy (likely Cervical Spine), right upper extremity radiculopathy (likely Cervical Spine), and left lower extremity radiculopathy (likely Cervical Spine) have all been denied. The Veteran's PTSD claim has also been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms more closely approximate a 70 percent disability rating, resulting in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The TDIU issue is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not necessitate the care or assistance of another person on a regular basis to attend to the activities of daily living, to protect him from the hazards or dangers of his daily environment, or to substantially confine him to his dwelling or immediate premises. Therefore, SMC based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected, with a 30% evaluation effective November 16, 2015.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the Veteran’s PTSD and his death from myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include posttraumatic stress disorder.,Service connection is also being remanded for the issue of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and for an earlier effective date are remanded. The claim of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has determined that the amount of attorney fees previously withheld for past-due benefits awarded by a November 2016 rating decision was incorrect and has granted an additional $4,324.02 in attorney fees.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new evidence and medical examinations. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of polycystic liver disease, determine if PTSD is related to service, and re-examine hearing loss.