PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connection due to a personal assault during service. The left ankle sprain is denied as not related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. However, the case is still pending as it needs further development to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of July 9, 2002 for service connection of PTSD based on new and material evidence. The claim was reopened in July 2002 but no diagnosis of PTSD had been established prior to this date.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted as it is etiologically related to his service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The claims will be reconsidered after all necessary development is completed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including psoriasis, PTSD, right knee replacement, ankle degeneration, hammertoes, spinal and sacroiliac joint psoriatic arthritis, left knee psoriatic arthritis, and anemia, rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment as of July 2, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and updated medical records to determine the severity of his PTSD, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, left eye keratitis, coronary heart disease, upper extremity radiculopathy, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims are also being reviewed for service connection based on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical center records and updating the Veteran's Form 21-8940. A new VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in several areas, but not total social and occupational impairment. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of a combat stressor and the need for an opinion regarding the etiology of PTSD.

Service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Veteran did not have PTSD in service or at any time thereafter.,Service connection for tonsillitis was granted based on an in-service diagnosis and treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, but no higher. The appeal for service connection of tinnitus was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of a stressor event involving USS Midway in 1964 and consideration of alternative sources of information.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since November 12, 2008. The effective date for this rating is September 30, 2002.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination and consideration of all pertinent VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the May 2012 VA examination and the need for a new examination. The Veteran's claim is also remanded because of the submission of lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service.