PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with effective dates and further examination is needed for left ankle, PTSD, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for 20 percent ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, as well as a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to December 9, 2011, is being remanded due to procedural issues.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) prior to December 9, 2011, is also being remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death, congestive heart failure, is not related to his service or a service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including hearing loss, shoulder injuries, back pain, radiculopathy, and PTSD. The Board has remanded these claims for further development.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are needed for the Veteran's psychiatric, kidney, diverticulosis, and hypertension claims. The VA will attempt to verify a claimed in-service stressor and schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal includes the reduction of his PTSD rating from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective March 1, 2018. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the PTSD rating issue.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, PTSD, COPD, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU. The issues of service connection and rating will be remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an initial compensable rating for ED, and a higher rating for Major Depressive Disorder. The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD, insufficient symptoms to meet the criteria for a 50 percent or higher rating for depressive disorder, and no penile deformity for ED.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymic disorder but remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD due to conflicting evidence in the record.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was rated at 70 percent prior to December 15, 2016. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of these conditions, and the Veteran should be provided with a letter about personal assault claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since August 30, 2010. The initial compensable rating for hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU have been remanded.

The Veteran is granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD from March 30, 2010 to June 3, 2016. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on multiple conditions related to Gulf War exposure is remanded due to unresolved issues and need for further evidence.

The Board is remanding the case due to incomplete development and failure to adjudicate service connection for substance abuse secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's ADRB file must be obtained, and a supplemental statement of the case should be issued.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection is established based on in-service noise exposure.,PTSD is granted as service connection is established based on combat stressors reported by the Veteran.,Squamous cell carcinoma appeal is dismissed due to withdrawal of claim.,Residuals of total knee arthroplasty and lumbar injury are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now before the Board.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, gastrointestinal disability (peptic ulcer disease), acquired psychiatric disability (major depression disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD), diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus are remanded.