PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder and PTSD, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding their onset during service or due to other causes. Service connection was not established for left and right knee disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including corroborating his reported stressors and providing an updated VA examination to determine if he meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or depression.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include all acquired psychiatric disabilities and is remanding for a new VA examination to determine if any diagnosed disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA Form 21-8940 and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed headache condition. Additionally, he will be scheduled for a VA examination to evaluate the severity of his PTSD with panic disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to August 16, 2013 and is now rated at 100 percent thereafter. The claim for TDIU prior to August 16, 2013 is granted.

The Veteran's disability ratings were reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent for lumbosacral paravertebral myositis, effective June 1, 2011. The reduction was found to be proper as there had been no actual improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD is denied as a matter of law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and there is no competent evidence linking any other mental disorder to active duty or to a service connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression is denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea was granted effective November 6, 2012. The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date.

The Board has reopened the claim and determined that there is sufficient evidence to establish service connection for PTSD, as it relates to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service and specifically to in-service sexual trauma/personal assault. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are service-connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. The diagnoses were based on combat stressors experienced during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a statement from M.J.L., PA. The Veteran's claim for a specially adapted housing grant is being returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy is denied. The Veteran's tinea versicolor has been granted a 10% rating, and his left leg peripheral neuropathy remains at the 10% level.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the initial rating period, and he is now entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70% since May 9, 2012. Prior to this date, the evidence does not support a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of the Veteran's father and further developing her claims related to PTSD and thyroid nodules. The compensation claim under 38 U.S.C. � 1151 for GERD surgery residuals is also pending.