PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Veteran does not have a current vestibular disorder or PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is granted an initial rating of 30 percent prior to January 13, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder and mood disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since January 24, 2012. The Board finds that a 70% rating is warranted from this date due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. However, the issues of an initial rating in excess of 70% for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient service treatment and personnel records, requiring further development including obtaining missing VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded and requires a psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD was incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been reopened, and the Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for left knee cartilage impairment. The issues of service connection for low back disability, right ankle disability, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety, agoraphobia, and depression rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire appeal period. The Board granted a TDIU rating. However, the VA treatment records from October 2013 to present are missing, necessitating their retrieval.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied. The Veteran's depressive disorder and substance abuse disorder associated with chronic lumbosacral strain were granted a rating of 100 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's conjunctivitis was granted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional evaluations are needed for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease, and PTSD due to incomplete medical records and inconsistencies in the examinations provided.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with verifying the Veteran's claimed PTSD stressor and for further development regarding his engagement to a female service member who died in a plane crash. The Veteran needs to provide more information, and VA will attempt to obtain her military personnel records.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for lumbosacral strain, PTSD, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% rating, reflecting total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, memory loss, and impaired impulse control.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service stressor. The Veteran has not been diagnosed with these conditions.,For the increased rating issues, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an increased rating based on her symptoms and medical records do not support higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, and for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to February 27, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for diabetes mellitus. Another VA examination is needed for both issues.

This decision denies service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% since January 3, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD, anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to her military experiences.

The Veteran's appeals for reopening previously denied claims and seeking increased evaluations have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for tinnitus, PTSD, and sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and eye injury have been remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.