PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim of service connection for PTSD due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease (CAD) were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations of PTSD and TDIU due to issues with previous remand directives regarding DSM versions and GAF scores. The VA will seek an addendum opinion to address gaps in the evidentiary record.

The Veteran's left eye scar is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his service-connected right wrist disability, erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD), and back disability, additional evidence is needed as the current VA examinations are inadequate.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for additional development due to conflicting evidence regarding his psychiatric disability and its relationship to active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded due to the need to corroborate a reported in-service personal assault and PTSD stressor, as well as determine if any other diagnosed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective December 1, 2007. Effective this date, he also receives a special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's depressive disorder. The case will be returned for a supplemental opinion from an appropriate VA clinician.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, frostbite residuals, and recurrent tinnitus, are at least in equipoise with his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which may be related to service. The issues of increased ratings for duodenal ulcer and left ankle instability remain unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and a psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD), but denied service connection for an eye disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The examiner is requested to provide a medical opinion on whether these conditions are related to her in-service sexual assault.

The Board has determined that there may be outstanding evidence in the case and is therefore remanding it for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to incomplete records from VA treatment centers. Additional development is needed, including obtaining clinical records from October 1988 through February 2000 from San Juan VAMC and any SSA disability benefits records. A new VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders must be obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has decided to remand both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim due to new evidence presented during his hearing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD, effective from November 4, 2013, is granted. The appeal regarding the effective date for service connection for PTSD is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the issue of entitlement to an effective date prior to January 31, 2013, for a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD and anxiety disorder. The TDIU claim is remanded due to lack of adjudication.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he has secured and follows a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has found that the issue of entitlement to TDIU after September 6, 2013 is moot due to the Veteran's combined schedular rating. The case is being remanded for further development and readjudication.