PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and asbestosis due to insufficient evidence of in-service stressors.

The Board has denied service connection for obesity secondary to PTSD and granted an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, but has remanded them for further development to clarify periods of active service and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder was reopened and denied. The Board also remanded the case to obtain additional information and conduct a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as service-connected due to in-service stressors and consistent with combat service.

A 50 percent rating is granted for PTSD with Depressive Disorder NOS from November 18, 2005. A 100 percent schedular rating is granted for PTSD starting May 20, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as his nonservice-connected dementia was the primary cause of his need for assistance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and development.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities of prostate cancer and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The initial ratings for left and right ankle sprains were also denied, but the rating for left ankle sprain from June 5, 2015 onwards was granted at a 20% level. The Veteran's PTSD claim resulted in an initial non-compensable rating which has been maintained.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for anxiety neurosis with PTSD on an extraschedular basis and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified anxiety and depression. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded several service connection issues, including for cervical spine strain, headaches, PTSD, sleep apnea (OSA), and prostate condition (BPH).

The Veteran's requests to reopen their service connection claims for a left shoulder disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence in the form of VA treatment records, lay statements, and private medical opinions that supports the presence of current diagnoses related to these conditions and links them to in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of various disabilities, including PTSD, right hand/wrist disability, lumbar spine condition, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Board has also determined that verification of the Veteran's in-service stressors is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. The claim for TDIU has also been denied due to the Veteran's ability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with the DSM criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and substance use disorders is currently rated at 70 percent prior to April 11, 2016, and from June 1, 2016. The rating agency found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as he does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under DSM-V.,The Veteran's bilateral patellofemoral syndrome of the knees, left Achilles tendonitis, left elbow olecranon bursitis with spur, and right shoulder impingement with degenerative joint disease are all rated at 10 percent each.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA mental health examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder had its onset in service or is related to the Veteran's military service.