PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. His right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were also evaluated at 10% ratings, with the former being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (unspecified depressive disorder) and his erectile dysfunction are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. His lumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since February 13, 2014. The Board granted an initial 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a total combined evaluation of 100 percent, qualifying him for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). However, the evidence does not support an increase to the higher rate due to need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 16, 2013 for the grants of service connection and evaluations for hypertension, right ankle sprain, right rotator cuff tear, and lumbosacral strain. The claim for PTSD remains denied as there is no evidence showing it existed prior to December 19, 2013.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board granted an increased rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, has been reopened. The claims for tinnitus and headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's hypertension and sinusitis have been granted service connection. The initial ratings for PTSD, post-concussive migraines, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spondylosis are remanded.,A new examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions and his lumbar spondylosis. The Veteran may also need a VR&E evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for braces used for his service-connected left knee, right knee, and back disabilities in calendar year 2015 due to lack of documentation showing use of these braces during that period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder was granted, and the effective date is set at April 7, 1998.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and a higher rating for PTSD were denied. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

Service connection granted for Parkinson's Disease due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,Secondary service connection granted for Lewy body dementia related to the Veteran's Parkinson's disease.,Service connection granted for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, linked to combat experiences in Vietnam.,An initial evaluation of 70 percent disability assigned for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports a diagnosis, but current medical records do not confirm a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to antisocial personality disorder.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, can be decided.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent and increased to 70 percent effective March 20, 2017. A TDIU rating has been granted prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and has been increased to 70%. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher level aid and attendance, as he does not have loss of use of both arms or legs, blindness in both eyes, or deafness. Therefore, his claim for special monthly compensation based on a need for higher level aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has dismissed the claims for PTSD and earlier effective date for an unspecified anxiety disorder as the Veteran withdrew from these appeals in June 2018.

The claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury is dismissed. Bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are granted, with the rating for shell fragment wounds, thorax being denied. The Veteran's burn scars of the left hand and arm have been rated at 10% since December 30, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, PTSD, and various other conditions have been denied. The claim for joint pain, right knee condition, status post left leg fracture with pin placement, eye condition, sinusitis, acid reflux, hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, enlarged prostate, and athlete’s foot has also been denied due to lack of evidence of in-service injury or disease.