PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

A higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD is granted from January 28, 2013 to February 14, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for upper and lower back, allergic rhinitis and/or a sinus condition, and acquired psychiatric disability to include depression, nervousness, and/or PTSD due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection claim is not about service connection at all.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD claim, including a lack of a completed Form 21-0781 or 21-0781a. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination for PTSD or other mental disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 11, 2010. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected shin splints, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The VA must obtain a new opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for a bone spur in his left little toe. The Board also denied an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied bilateral hand disability was not granted as new and material evidence has not been received.,Moderate left carpal tunnel syndrome and mild ulnar neuropathy at the wrist and elbow were not service-connected, as they did not have their onset during active service or within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 26, 2016. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and migraine headaches, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of February 24, 2012. An effective date of February 24, 2012 is granted for the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's request to reopen the issue of service connection for PTSD is granted. The appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and psychotic disorder NOS, as well as hypertension, is remanded.

The Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder and depression are granted as service connected due to the evidence showing a current disability related to combat service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The initial 10% evaluation for tension headaches was granted, but the higher evaluations requested for PTSD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were not granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder is granted, and his PTSD is rated at 30 percent. The decision also denies a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The claim for service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST) is also remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the bilateral foot condition service connection issue due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The hearing loss claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The psychiatric disorder claims are remanded for further evaluation and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pain disorder was resolved in his favor, with an effective date of September 17, 2012. The Veteran's attorney is eligible to receive payment from past-due benefits based on this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has worsened since the last VA examination in October 2011. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current level of severity.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and PTSD are related to his in-service noise exposure.