PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, a growth on his chest, and residuals of a lipoma on the head have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for right ankle strain, left knee strain, and residuals of a left elbow fracture have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for PTSD with ADHD during the period from September 30, 2015 to June 26, 2017 has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, and lumbar strain have been remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and lower back disability are service-connected. However, additional evidence is needed to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder (likely including PTSD, anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder) and sciatic nerve disability are also service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, a back disability, and a neck disability due to incomplete service treatment records and unverified stressors. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by these other claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a maximum evaluation of 100 percent.,Service connection for the gynecological condition is denied. The claim for chronic bladder and urinary tract infections is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to in-service sexual assault and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 24, 2015.,She was granted a TDIU effective from March 24, 2015.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, but needs further clarification and evidence. The case is being sent back to the VA for a new opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, and TDIU due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide VA Form 21-4142 for all non-VA medical providers seen for mental health disorders and sleep apnea. A new VA examination must be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder, including whether it had its onset during active service or is related to in-service stressors, and if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is due to his physical limitations resulting from a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and its residuals, not his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD has been granted, but the issue is dismissed as there are no longer any unresolved issues. The claims for hernia and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for periodontal gum disease and hepatitis A have been denied. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for his claimed psychiatric, heart, sleep apnea, neck, upper extremity radiculopathy, head injury residuals, skin disorder, ankle, or knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of PTSD from April 21, 2006 through January 2, 2007, and from April 1, 2007 through July 1, 2008 is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations.,The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities, which include right ankle and fibula traumatic arthritis, PTSD with TBI, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, cervical spine spondylosis, flexor tendonitis of the wrists, and disc bulges of the thoracolumbar spine. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an increased rating for PTSD and the propriety of reducing his disability rating from 70 percent to 30 percent. The RO has not issued an SOC on the reduction issue, so the case is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he has been employed full-time for over 25 years. The Board finds that his service-connected conditions alone did not render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore service connection for PTSD is denied. The remaining issues related to left knee replacement, lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with IVDS, left lower extremity sciatica, and costochondritis with rib subluxation and left breast numbness are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for TDIU and has remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from June 11, 2016. The Veteran is to be scheduled for a VA examination to assess his current PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA mental health examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional review of new VA treatment records submitted since the last Statement of the Case. The issues include rating and service connection for various conditions, including a left knee disability, tinnitus, laceration of the right eye, skin rash (itching), headaches secondary to the laceration, vision loss, ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, hypertension to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, sleep apnea to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, hyperechoic liver mass to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and hyperlipidemia.