PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and readjudication due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities, headaches, and head scar.,The Board is requesting an addendum opinion from a neuropsychiatrist or other TBI specialist to address the relationship between the Veteran’s in-service head injuries and current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, and HIV are granted. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to March 14, 2014 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to December 18, 2018, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter following that date was denied. The Board found the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, migraines, and PTSD have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was initially denied in December 2014. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set to December 23, 2015, which is when the Veteran filed a petition to reopen his claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed as the maximum benefits have already been granted. The issue of service connection for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarct is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right heel strain, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and eye disability (secondary to PTSD) have all been denied.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD and is requesting a medical opinion to determine if this relationship exists.

The Veteran's request to reopen his previously-denied claim for service connection for a left knee disability was dismissed.,The Veteran's requests to reopen his previously-denied claims for depression and PTSD were granted.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 20, 2005 for the award of service connection for PTSD. However, the issue of assigning a disability rating for PTSD from that date to October 21, 2009 is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD caused total social and occupational impairment from April 15, 2008 to December 18, 2017. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD and diabetes mellitus type 2 have been granted service connection. The issue of retroactive additional compensation by reason of the Veteran’s spouse being in need of aid and attendance is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with dysthymia was granted, and he is now rated at 70 percent. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD is dismissed. The appeal for an earlier effective date for right and left ankle disorders is denied. The appeals for initial ratings in excess of ten percent for the right and left ankles, as well as service connection for bilateral hip and knee disorders are remanded.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are less severe and frequent than those contemplated by a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, right foot disability, tinnitus, PTSD, hypertension, left knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and plantar fasciitis. The appeals are currently pending due to the need for additional medical records review.