PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a higher initial disability rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the correct effective date is June 29, 2016, when the Veteran petitioned to reopen his claim. There was no clear and unmistakable error in the October 2005 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD is denied as the earliest date that it was factually ascertainable that his disability had worsened occurred after he filed his claim on August 6, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a 100 percent rating from December 6, 2017 for PTSD.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of September 19, 2017 for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since May 28, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied as the earliest date entitlement arose was February 20, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in notifying the Veteran of alternative evidence for her personal assault/military sexual trauma stressor and failure to obtain an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is dismissed. The claims for service connection for pes planus, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus resulted from combat exposure. The Board granted a TDIU effective June 25, 2018, as the combined rating of these conditions meets the schedular requirements for consideration of a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as he is able to feed himself and perform most self-care tasks with assistance.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent, effective November 5, 2019. The decision also grants a retroactive effective date of May 15, 2017 for the increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected PTSD and knee disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, right knee, and right ankle tendonitis. The decision is based on a lack of current diagnoses meeting DSM criteria for PTSD and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus, right toe injury, and knee disorders are related to service. The claims are remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of PTSD and service connection for sleep apnea was denied. The Board found that the current level of disability did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, as his symptoms were consistent with a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, arthritis of the right shoulder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been denied. His claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has also been denied. The effective date for his award of service connection for PTSD is set at November 16, 2017. The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claims have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The appeals are related to his PTSD, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and back disability.