PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus remands for a new examination to determine if this is true.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 18, 2014 for a 100% rating for PTSD was denied as there is no factually ascertainable evidence showing total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD in the year prior to June 18, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 18, 2014 for a 10 percent rating for Lumbar Spine Strain with Intervertebral Disc Syndrome was denied as there is no factually ascertainable evidence showing the severity of her lumbar strain met the criteria for a 10 percent rating in the year prior to June 18, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that the Veteran meets the criteria for an unspecified trauma and stressor disorder, which is related to his in-service witnessing of a helicopter crash.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction requires an oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet but not regulation of activities.,The Veteran’s hypertension requires continuous medication.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is manifested by mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is manifested by mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,For the entire rating period on appeal, the Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with difficulties in most areas due to symptoms such as disturbance of mood and motivation, irritability, anxiety, sleep impairment, and depression; total occupational and social impairment was not shown.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was granted following an application to reopen which was received by the RO on December 1, 2009.,The Veteran was granted service connection for coronary artery disease, status-post angioplasty and aortocoronary bypass, following a claim of entitlement to service connection which was received by the RO on September 6, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and OCD. The examiner is required to provide a clear rationale for any opinions expressed, including whether the current psychiatric disorders are related to service or an in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and CAD have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has ordered a new VA examination and remanded the case due to the lack of probative value in the previous examiner's opinion. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which may be secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for hiatal hernia was granted, and service connection for hypertension, PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, major depressive disorder, right little finger ankylosis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for various conditions was also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to June 15, 2016 was manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to a Line of Duty determination for an alleged assault during service, and any further development is required before re-adjudicating the service connection claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to cause significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for low back disorder and PTSD. The cases are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for anxiety and PTSD due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder from August 3, 2018 has been dismissed as the Veteran received a full grant of the benefit sought (a 70% rating).

This decision denies service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and MRSA infection. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, headaches, PTSD, night sweats, sleep disorders, and psoriatic arthritis are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia with episodes of psychosis and PTSD. Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than schizophrenia and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that TDIU is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and active duty. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as new VA treatment records have been added to the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is being reviewed, as well as her adjustment disorder.