PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid disorder, asthma, eczema, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disability (likely PTSD), diabetes mellitus, type II, and heart disease. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for keloids of the left ear and neck.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with depression prior to October 27, 2010 is denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are denied as the evidence does not show flexion limited to 15 degrees.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her left knee instability is denied as the evidence does not show moderate or severe instability.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her right knee patellofemoral syndrome and right knee instability are denied as the evidence does not show flexion limited to 15 degrees.,The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depression is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye optic neuropathy and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome are denied.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 8, 2010 is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 26, 2009. The VA examiner found the condition to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and other mental health conditions, is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete verification of claimed stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including providing the Veteran with a VA Form 21-8940 and scheduling him for an appropriate VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant impairment, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Board also granted TDIU based on the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD, tinea versicolor, and tinnitus were all rated at their maximum allowable levels under the applicable VA rating criteria. The combined rating for these conditions was correctly calculated.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing addendum opinions regarding his TBI residuals and PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not have a direct relationship to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating. The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are not compensable.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, as it did not require insulin or regulation of activities. For the acquired psychiatric disabilities, the VA examiner provided an opinion indicating they were less likely than not related to service. Regarding residuals of a broken nose, no diagnosis could be made due to lack of records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since March 10, 2009. The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective May 7, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective August 7, 2010. He is also granted TDIU effective October 25, 2016.

The Board has decided that the case needs further development due to the need to verify the Veteran's reported stressor events. The claim will be returned to the RO for this purpose.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis or causal link to an in-service event.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his combat service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The issues of PTSD evaluation, TDIU, and sleep apnea service connection are being addressed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and dysthymic disorder, due to a lack of evidence linking any in-service event or injury to his current conditions.