PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent. The issue of service connection for hypertension, which was denied in February 2017, is being remanded due to the Veteran not receiving the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence, and service connection is granted as his current PTSD is found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and medical opinions are needed for the Veteran's eye disorder, myofascial pain syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine, and PTSD claims due to lack of compliance with regulatory requirements.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychological disorders, specifically PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain in-patient hospital records from Ramstein Air Force Base during the Veteran’s service and copies of VA treatment records for the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset in active service or was otherwise causally connected to active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin disorder (tinea pedis) is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset in active service or was otherwise causally connected to active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disorder (enlarged heart) is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset in active service or was otherwise causally connected to active service. The claim has been reopened, but remains denied due to lack of nexus with service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset in active service or was otherwise causally connected to active service. The claim has been reopened, but remains denied due to lack of nexus with service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset in active service or was otherwise causally connected to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent rating effective June 6, 2006. The appeal for IBS service connection was withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU due to a lack of medical evidence, as well as an incomplete application for increased compensation based on unemployability.

The Veteran's dermal fibrosis and PTSD have been granted service connection, with a rating of 70% for PTSD. The case is remanded for further development regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease prior to March 27, 2014, is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions, preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his education and occupational experience.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, skin disorder, and type II diabetes mellitus. The AOJ is also instructed to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and obtain all outstanding medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), increased disability evaluations for traumatic arthritis of the right knee and left knee, and an increased disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore, one of the required elements for service connection was not satisfied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety disorder and PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that began during active service or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, otitis media of the left ear, cholera, tuberculosis, hypertension, dysentery, kidney disability, a disability manifested by blood occult in the urine, an acquired psychiatric disability (including general anxiety disorder), and PTSD. The reopening is based on new evidence suggesting Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as their symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent rating. The effective date of the increased rating from 50 percent to 70 percent is set at March 5, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD prior to May 16, 2012 was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD manifested with symptoms most closely analogous to occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's ED is caused by his service-connected PTSD and hypertension, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.