PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, as well as PTSD. The claims for hypertension and ED secondary to PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated based on their severity, with the initial rating of 30% granted in August 2012. The case is being remanded for further review due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with alcohol abuse was denied as there is no earlier effective date prior to July 5, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, but he received an effective date of April 6, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's death was caused by his underlying conditions, including hypertension and peripheral vascular disease. The service connection for the cause of death is granted.

An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to July 31, 2017 was denied.,A 70 percent initial rating for PTSD from July 31, 2017 onwards is granted.,A 100 percent initial rating for PTSD from January 19, 2018 onwards is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while his claim for service connection for an acquired psychological condition (including post-traumatic stress disorder) is granted.

The appeal seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but his adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is now granted as secondary to diabetes.,His hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since October 3, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and unspecified depressive disorder, as well as for increased ratings for pseudoarthrosis of the right index finger and residual scarring of the right index finger prior to June 26, 2014, were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's mitral valve prolapse with palpitations has been granted an initial 10 percent rating. The issues of service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD due to military sexual trauma have been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 100 percent since September 13, 2016, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as additional development may be needed, including obtaining SSA disability determination records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further evaluation.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher rating since June 27, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD and anxiety disorders. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and panic attacks, is granted as service connected due to a confirmed in-service sexual assault.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted a maximum 100 percent disability rating, the highest possible rating.