PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed psychiatric, back, and eye disabilities. The VA will seek corroboration of the Veteran's stressor events, obtain a VA examination for his psychiatric disability, and provide an addendum opinion on his back and eye conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the minimum rating required for service connection. The Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% throughout the appeal period, and he is granted SMC at the housebound rate from November 13, 2015. TDIU based on a single disability other than PTSD prior to November 13, 2015 remains on appeal.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder was granted. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity due to diabetes is denied, as is service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity due to diabetes. The Veteran's asbestosis remains at a 30% disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current PTSD was incurred in service due to an assault, and his depression is secondary to his PTSD. The claims are granted based on the balance of evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with cataracts is rated at a 40 percent disability rating effective November 20, 2014. The Board denied all other claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence for deciding this claim, including a lack of verified in-service stressors. The Veteran's reported stressors have not been verified by service department and attempts should be made to verify additional stressors which may be capable of verification.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, right knee and foot disabilities, joint pain, muscle pain, poor circulation of the legs, and burns. The claims were not reopened or granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claims for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. However, further development is needed as there are still unresolved issues regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and substance use disorder was denied. The effective date of the 70% rating for PTSD is not granted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The initial ratings for PTSD are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted at 100 percent in a November 2018 rating decision. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as 10 percent disabling prior to May 17, 2017 and 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD. The issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed. His right ear hearing loss is granted, but his lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions are partially granted with restrictions. Other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The Board has remanded several of his increased rating claims for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating from May 31, 2016 to August 10, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his mental disabilities and entitlement to TDIU due to additional relevant records received since the last adjudication.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence related to the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residual surgical scars of the left hip is denied due to the scars not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches (claimed as secondary to PTSD) is denied because he does not have a current headache disability.