PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's death was caused by a motor vehicle accident, and the appellant contends that his service-connected seizure disorder contributed to the accident. The Board has remanded for an addendum opinion from a VA physician regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and right knee disorders, but granted service connection for PTSD. The case is remanded for further examination regarding lower back and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The initial rating for PTSD prior to April 25, 2017, was denied, but the service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.,Prior to April 26, 2012, the Veteran was granted a disability rating of 30 percent for PTSD. From April 26, 2012, his PTSD rating has been denied as he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since July 8, 2014. The Board found that the current rating of 30 percent is appropriate given the Veteran’s occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other psychiatric conditions. The Veteran will need to provide additional information about his stressors, obtain updated VA treatment records, and undergo a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent effective April 6, 2017. The previous ratings were denied prior to these dates.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 100% since September 8, 2014. The effective date for service connection of this condition has been set to the day following the receipt of his claim on September 8, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied.,Service connection for schizoaffective disorder was granted, effective June 13, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issues of entitlement to special monthly compensation for deafness in both ears; service connection for a left foot disorder; and entitlement to an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The remaining claims, including PTSD, impulse control disorder, polysubstance abuse, and bilateral hearing loss, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, posttraumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a kidney disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus type II have all been denied due to lack of credible evidence supporting the in-service occurrence or connection.,Service connection was not granted as there is no credible evidence that the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam, which would be required for presumptive service connection under the Agent Orange Act. The Veteran's claims were also denied because there is insufficient medical evidence linking any current disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's kidney tumors/cysts and PTSD have been granted service connection. The kidney tumors/cysts are presumed due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, while the PTSD is linked to combat stressors during service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection with an initial rating of 70 percent, effective July 26, 2012. The appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for a TDIU prior to August 16, 2016, was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or TDIU based on service-connected disabilities alone.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in the medical records.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling from June 11, 2013 onward. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as impaired impulse control, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and memory loss.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary for the Veteran's PTSD claim due to his uncooperative behavior during the previous VA examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly her low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, render her unable to secure or follow substantial gainful employment. She is granted a TDIU effective February 13, 2015, and eligibility for specially adapted housing. The appeal seeking a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

A 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted throughout the appeal period, effective May 20, 2011. A higher rating or TDIU are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, evaluation of PTSD, and TDIU due to missing VA treatment records and the need for medical opinions regarding his sleep disorder and PTSD.