PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and sleep disorder due to conflicting evidence and need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 27, 2012 to August 1, 2018. The Board remanded the issue for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disorder and PTSD were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left knee arthritis was also denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim from January 14, 2015 to present is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD based on an in-service personal assault is granted due to the presence of a current diagnosis, corroborated stressor, and link between symptoms and event.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are service-connected, but his back disability is not. The right shoulder disability has been rated at 20% since April 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not been of the type and degree that warrant a higher than 50 percent rating. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his service, as he reported witnessing a jeep racing accident during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor and the relationship between the claimed conditions and service. The Veteran's claims for schizoaffective disorder and PTSD are related to an in-service sexual assault, but more development is needed to establish a link.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as additional information about his employment status since 2011 is needed.

The Veteran's appeal to receive a higher rating for his PTSD and depressive disorder was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to any decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and depressive disorder is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied. Claims for increased ratings for facet arthritis and degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and cervical spine strain with degenerative changes, C5-C6, C6-C7 with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) were also denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as of December 15, 2010. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for fecal urgency and intolerance to temperature changes due to Gulf War service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his ability to work with his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as there was no pending formal or informal claim prior to April 2, 2013.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, is granted with an initial evaluation of 70 percent. The effective date for this award remains October 16, 1992.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to August 21, 2018. From August 21, 2018, the Veteran's bilateral anterior cortical cataracts were granted a 20 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is remanded for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed with respect to the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The claims for service connection for Bell's palsy and PTSD are reopened, but denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a pre-existing condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, COPD, unspecified edema, and a bladder disorder due to insufficient evidence. The psychiatric claim is also remanded as it involves PTSD and depression.