PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and PTSD due to lack of a VA examination in some cases and insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU has also been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective from April 29, 2017. The Board found that the disability picture for his PTSD warranted a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and a higher rating of in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD or otherwise etiologically related to his period of active service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depression, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA needs to obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, due to lack of evidence linking the current conditions to service. The Veteran's claim was reopened based on new evidence from a July 2015 VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinea pedis, and dermatofibroma have been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. Service connection is granted.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The issues of service connection for chronic pain, narcolepsy, epilepsy, and hypertension were remanded.

The Board denied an effective date prior to December 12, 2011, for the assignment of a 100% rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse as there was no ascertainable increase in severity within one year prior to the receipt of the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD with depressive disorder and coronary artery disease, finding that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury resulted in the requirement of aid and attendance from April 29, 2013 to February 6, 2014. After February 6, 2014, he no longer required aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD service connection claim is granted, and his allergic rhinitis rating is increased to 10 percent. The hypertension rating is restored.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent from June 12, 2014. This rating is granted based on the severity of symptoms such as panic attacks, impaired impulse control, and difficulty in establishing effective relationships.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 30, 2016 is granted as his service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria and render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the establishment of service connection for PTSD is granted. The motion seeking revision of a November 2004 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is dismissed as moot. The appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD prior to August 2, 2010 and for Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) benefits is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The remaining claims of service connection for multiple joint arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and organic impotence are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of a back condition and denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's ratings for his right shoulder disorder and PTSD are being remanded due to insufficient evidence of current severity.