PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection were denied. The Board found that the March 2009 denial of PTSD was not final, but his claim to reopen this denial is considered a downstream issue which does not require VCAA notice.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected PTSD and consideration of whether she meets the threshold disability percentage requirement for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD, service connection for left leg/knee condition, and service connection for a left foot condition are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD and GERD/Hiatal Hernia have been granted, but the ratings are at their maximum levels. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating under either condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves his bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary, including obtaining updated VA examinations for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with dementia of Alzheimer's type and associated conditions such as a lumbar compression fracture and seizure disorder, render him in need of higher special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his inability to care for himself.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating effective June 1, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms of PTSD have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues include increased ratings for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, right hip disorder, and sleep apnea; service connection for a right hip disorder secondary to lumbar spine or radiculopathy disabilities; and TDIU prior to August 27, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are found to be related to service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions. The appeal regarding headaches is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease, and PTSD have been denied. The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor, and the Board finds that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, has been met.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed, but the VA examiner found no direct link between his service-connected PTSD and cause of death. The hypertension was also not linked to PTSD.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease has been granted service connection based on exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating due to service-connected PTSD as of September 12, 2006. Prior to this date, no other disabilities were service connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA vocational rehabilitation folder and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his knee disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be remanded pending adjudication of these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss were evaluated, but the claims for higher ratings were denied as there was no evidence of impairment warranting a higher rating under VA's criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are related to his military service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to reconcile previous psychiatric diagnoses and determine if service connection is warranted for PTSD and anxiety disorder.