PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board finds that any diagnosed conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, MDD and unspecified depressive disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and related disabilities are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for further evaluation.,The Veteran's claims for left foot disability, skin disability, seizure disability, hypertension, hepatitis C, herpes, and dental disability are remanded due to the need for further evaluation of their relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for hypertension, hepatitis C, and herpes are remanded due to the need for further evaluation of their relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for herpes and dental disability are remanded due to the need for further evaluation of their relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 1, 2006, is remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective August 8, 2011. The decision also indicates that the Veteran requested this specific rating and no further discussion is necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to appear for a VA examination. The case will be rescheduled for another examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since January 18, 2012, and the appeal period from March 6, 2015 to November 1, 2013 was granted. The rating remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case has been remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and other conditions contributed to his death from acute fentanyl intoxication.

The Veteran's service connection claim for unspecified trauma- and stressor-related disorder (sub-threshold PTSD) is granted as the evidence supports a finding that he has this condition related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and hypertension as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential in-service noise exposure and fear of hostile military activity during combat service.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition and for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD, hypertension and tinnitus have been granted ratings. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD but has remanded the cases of bilateral ankle and foot disorders due to missing records and need for further examination.

The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for hypertensive heart disease with ischemic heart disease.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 10, 2016 for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for the assignment of a 30 percent disability rating for balance impairment and shuffling gait as a residual of Parkinson's disease.,Service connection for dysphagia, as a residual of Parkinson's disease, was granted with an effective date of December 18, 2012.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for service connection for chronic constipation, as a residual of Parkinson's disease.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and alcohol dependence. The case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and for an initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for service connection was rendered moot due to a grant of service connection in August 2019. The hearing loss claim remains before the Board but does not warrant a higher than 50% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination. The TDIU claim also requires obtaining SSA records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not physically or mentally preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, including performing sedentary work.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation, as his symptoms were consistent with a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development due to deficiencies in previous medical opinions and the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.