PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's insomnia is a separate diagnosis from his service-connected PTSD and, if so, whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot swelling, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder and PTSD. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his chronic sleep disorder, to include obstructive sleep apnea. The effective date claim remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to January 5, 2017 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board has found the evidence does not support higher ratings for this condition.,For the period beginning on January 5, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating of 100 percent as total occupational and social impairment is not shown.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, tinea cruris, and a left knee disability are on appeal. The claims will be remanded to obtain updated treatment records and provide the Veteran with an opportunity to submit additional evidence. A psychiatric examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of current disability or in-service injury.,Service connection for depressive disorder, NOS was granted with an effective date of December 14, 2010. The Veteran did not file a claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's cause of death, myocardial infraction with congestive heart failure due to acute pneumonia, is found to be caused by his service-connected PTSD. The appeal for accrued benefits and survivor pension benefits is denied as the appellant's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and Major depressive disorder have been granted.,Service connection has not been reopened for MERSA.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and their relation to his current PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for right hip surgery residuals is denied as he does not have current residuals of the in-service condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board finds that the Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest within one year after service.,Tinnitus was not shown during active service, and the record is against a finding that any currently claimed tinnitus is causally related to the Veteran’s active service or any incident therein.,The criteria for entitlement to service connection for PTSD have not been met. The Board found no evidence of current disability and determined that the Veteran does not meet DSM-5 criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is rated at 70 percent prior to May 9, 2017, and denied for a rating in excess of 70 percent from that date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective August 11, 2011. The Board denied the claim for TDIU from August 11, 2011 to November 3, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and onychomycosis, based on service aggravation. The remaining issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy, and restless leg syndrome are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's GERD rating is restored from October 1, 2014 to a 10 percent rating. A higher rating for migraine headaches and PTSD with MDD is granted since April 19, 2011. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted starting from April 19, 2011.