PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD with panic disorder and dysthymic disorder was not manifested by a total occupational and social impairment from March 18, 2013, to November 19, 2018. The appeal is denied as the claim for an increased rating is not supported by evidence of a total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and mood/depressive disorder are etiologically related to his active service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating for the period prior to March 31, 2017. The appeal regarding higher ratings and TDIU prior to July 17, 2015, has been granted.

From June 27, 2012 to April 4, 2019, the Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and a TDIU.,Effective from April 4, 2019, the Veteran received a total schedular rating for his PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of notification for a VA examination, and the Veteran's representative claims that he will appear for an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a rib condition is reopened, while his claims for PTSD and other disabilities are denied. His TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and hypertension, to include as secondary to PTSD, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood.,The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected PTSD was also denied. The Veteran's 50 percent disability rating for PTSD was deemed insufficient to warrant a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD, major depressive disorder with symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, bipolar disorder, ADHD), back disorders (including arthritis), left knee disorders (including arthritis), right knee disorders (including arthritis), migraines, and tinnitus have all been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271 for marked limitation of motion. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any other claimed conditions.,Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks, and alcohol use disorder), sleep apnea, low back disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for the remaining conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD with cocaine use disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD related to personal trauma, and GERD secondary to PTSD and right ankle disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is remanded due to insufficient evidence of his functional and work-related capabilities during the period from January 27, 2009, to January 26, 2010. The AOJ must obtain missing records and provide a VA examiner with relevant information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus was granted. Claims for fibromyalgia, CFS, respiratory disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, skin disorder, lumbosacral strain, and TBI were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, back disability, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, shoulder and hip disabilities, right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, anxiety, depression, and PTSD were not shown as chronic in service or related to a service-connected disability. The Board found the Veteran's statements regarding these conditions being related to his military service to be speculative.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were first diagnosed 30 years after separation from service and are not considered to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased PTSD rating and service connection for a heart disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a supplemental VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling for the entire appeal period, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional development is necessary before the underlying claim can be adjudicated on the merits due to worsening symptoms and remands the case for a new examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if his current diagnoses are related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from March 2, 2014 due to his service-connected PTSD preventing him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. Prior to that date, the evidence suggested he was still employed.