PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted, with a rating of 70 percent.,Service connection for PTSD is also granted, with a current rating of 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for an enlarged prostate, lung cancer, and a skin rash. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.,Service connection for lung cancer, a skin rash, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current symptoms and his in-service stressor. The evidence did not support a link between the Veteran’s in-service incident and his current psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse from August 10, 2009 to the present. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the claim. The left knee disorder claim was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding that it was caused by his service-connected back injury residuals or right knee injury residuals.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD, as the previous examination was inconsistent and incomplete. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to their impact on each other.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to lack of recent VA medical records and need for a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent and the Board denied a higher rating, finding that his symptoms do not meet or exceed those required for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals on multiple service connection and rating issues, including those related to lumbar spine disorder, bilateral pes planus, right hand CTS, left hand CTS, PTSD, cervical spine disorder, trouble breathing, sleep apnea, bilateral pulmonary embolisms, and insomnia disorder. The Board dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent for the entire appeal period, and his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is moot as he has already been granted a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA mental health examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder had its onset in service or is related to the Veteran's claimed military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not file a claim prior to October 22, 2012, for PTSD, migraine condition, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, thoracolumbar spine condition, or cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new examination, as well as potential retrieval of additional treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the evaluations of service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete records and need further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective October 3, 2008. The appeal for a higher rating remains under review.

The Veteran's PTSD was denied for initial ratings in excess of 50 percent prior to October 18, 2016 and in excess of 70 percent since that date.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU related to PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's increased evaluation for his psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for a new examination as the last one was conducted nearly five years ago.

The Veteran's service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease and posttraumatic stress disorder render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).