PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as PTSD and major depressive disorder) have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder), finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if there is a current psychiatric disorder and its relationship to service-connected disabilities, as well as to obtain updated treatment records. Separate ratings are also requested for any external popliteal (common peroneal) nerve impairment.

The Board denied service connection for Diabetes Mellitus Type II and a rating in excess of 50 percent for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of DMII, and the record does not contain a recent diagnosis of disability prior to filing the claim. For PTSD, the Board found that the Veteran's symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for lower back disability and PTSD.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of PTSD as there is no diagnosis of PTSD in the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was rated at 70 percent from January 23, 2015 to April 13, 2018. The increased rating for coronary artery disease and the TDIU claim are remanded due to new evidence.

The Board denied an effective date prior to April 27, 2005 for the award of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD and PTSD) as no relevant service department records have been added to the record since the issuance of final decisions in 1993 and 1995. The Board also denied an effective date prior to April 27, 2005 for a TDIU due to lack of legal merit.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and his appeal for an increased rating for his psychiatric disability was also denied.,Service connection for major depressive disorder has been granted with a current effective date of December 23, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension has been dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD exacerbated his cardiovascular conditions, contributing to his cause of death. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) was granted, but the effective date prior to June 16, 2008 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss that meets VA criteria.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral flat feet remains in appellate status and requires further development due to the need for a supplemental examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain (low back condition) is remanded as the VA examiner did not adequately address potential contributory factors from a motor vehicle accident during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety and depression remains in appellate status and requires further development due to the need for a supplemental examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board has remanded for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding his symptoms and their impact on daily life.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and readjudication of his claims, including those related to diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, diarrhea, and reflux disease were denied. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD was also denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation on several issues including back disability, headaches, hypertension, bilateral shin disability, right knee disability, right heel disability, and right leg disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to insufficient information provided by the JSRRC. The case will be further developed with additional medical records from Dr. James Gallo.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection of PTSD, throat/thyroid disability, and right arm ulcer.

The Veteran's PTSD caused total social and occupational impairment from July 28, 2003 to May 10, 2016, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social deficiencies, warranting a 70 percent rating for the entire appeal period.