PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as the issue of a higher initial rating for TBI. The Veteran is to be scheduled for an EMG examination.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no audiometric data showing entitlement to a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for bipolar disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete documentation in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and remanded the issues of a compensable rating for right ear sensorineural hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent throughout the appeals period, with symptoms including reduced reliability and productivity in work and social settings. The Board found that these symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his non-service-connected back disability prevents him from working in sedentary positions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and he claims it warrants a higher rating due to worsening symptoms. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and sleep apnea have been rated at the maximum available ratings, with no further increase warranted based on current evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of April 18, 2005.

The Board denied service connection for migraines, finding that the Veteran's migraines are not related to his active duty service and are not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD or tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus. The Court directed action consistent with a Joint Motion for Remand, finding that the Board failed to consider evidence of the Veteran’s ability to engage in substantially gainful employment. The case is now remanded for further consideration.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a balance problem associated with PTSD and hypertension, finding that there is no relationship between these conditions and his in-service service. The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's current hypertension may be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an increased rating to 70 percent, effective July 17, 2017. TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate have also been granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, are found to have their onset during service. The dementia is not considered secondary to the service-connected PTSD or other acquired mental disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examinations and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to determine if his current PTSD is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 25, 2013, for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The earliest communication from the Veteran that may reasonably be construed as a claim for PTSD was received on March 25, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral plantar calluses due to insufficient evidence from recent VA examinations. The Veteran's request for a social and industrial survey, consideration of his SSA findings, and extraschedular review have also been addressed.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of duodenal ulcer, PTSD, and TDIU are remanded for further development.

The April 2009 rating decision denied reopening the issue of service connection for a back disability and PTSD. The Veteran's brother provided lay statements, but they were considered duplicative of previous evidence. Service records did not corroborate the in-service stressor reported by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD, alcohol dependence, headaches, cirrhosis of the liver, GI disorder, bilateral knee disorder, kidney disease, spleen disorder, hypertension, keratoderma (a skin condition), and sleep disorder are all secondary to his service-connected conditions.,The VA has not provided sufficient evidence regarding the onset or causation of the Veteran's GI disorder, bilateral knee disorder, kidney disease, spleen disorder, hypertension, keratoderma (a skin condition), and sleep disorder. The Veteran’s hepatitis C is also under review for secondary service connection.