PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his PTSD and joint pain conditions, as well as service connection for an undiagnosed illness. The rating for migraine headaches remains denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluation, and TDIU. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination for his left ankle disability and precordial chest pain, as well as an updated VA examination for PTSD.

The Board has restored service connection for PTSD and granted a 70 percent rating effective April 2, 2013. The Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's current PTSD is found to be service-connected, with the Board finding that the weight of evidence supports the claim and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been granted. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and PTSD due to inadequate VA examination in August 2017. The Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, has been reopened. The case is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the diagnosis of PTSD and a need for further development related to the in-service personal assault.

The Veteran was granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol and substance abuse in full remission from July 1, 2013, thereafter.,Service connection for hypertension is being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also meets the requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and a back disability, as well as TDIU. The cases are being returned to the AOJ for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for urinary incontinence was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent, as the condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings. The PTSD rating is maintained at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of IED was dismissed. The Board granted a rating of 100 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The issue of TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran already receiving a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is remanded. The case will be referred to VA’s Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration of TDIU for a period prior to February 9, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to April 18, 2016, resulted in occupational and social deficiencies with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as persistent anxiety, intrusive memories, sleep disturbances including nightmares, irritability, and suicidal ideation. The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as increased ratings for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease. Additional development is needed to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a history of acoustic trauma during active service and credible reports of experiencing tinnitus since then, which warrants granting service connection.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that his symptoms align with criteria warranting such a rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD from September 1, 2010 to August 24, 2016 and from August 25, 2016 to the present was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.