PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis, COPD, headaches, sleep apnea, arthritis conditions, eye disabilities, circulatory problems, neuropathy, radiculopathy, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, hip disabilities, psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, and other unspecified conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no evidence that the condition was caused by in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied as he does not meet the schedular requirements and has not provided information about his employment status.

Service connection is granted for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar spine spondylosis, as well as other service-connected disabilities. The effective date for the award of service connection for hemorrhoids is set at November 29, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran is employed in a substantially gainful occupation as a minister, which does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and for an additional VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders that may be present.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, need further examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient indication of current disabilities related to the Veteran's service and has ordered additional VA examinations to address his claims for service connection. The Veteran's mental condition, including PTSD, depression, fatigue, and sleep problems, as well as his gout, left knee strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with pes anserine bursitis, and status post repair grade 2 strain right achilles tendonitis and normal healed surgical scar are being examined to determine their relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted. Service connection for Depressive Disorder was denied.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for bilateral knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder and PTSD, is related to his service but needs further examination for a complete assessment.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied because the evidence does not show that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, but the Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cold injury residuals of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating for PTSD and a freestanding claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD are both dismissed.

The Veteran's petition for an effective date prior to March 7, 2012 for a grant of 100 percent for PTSD is dismissed because the claim was not filed before that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression and TBI with vertigo. The issues on appeal include the propriety of combining the ratings for these conditions and the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, but the rating for PTSD remains under review.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,Claims regarding the Veteran's knee, shoulder, deviated septum, sleep apnea, lacunar infarcts, PTSD, and dental conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent from November 9, 2014 to February 23, 2016. The rating remains unchanged for the period after February 23, 2016.