PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 10 percent for post prostatectomy scar, residual of prostate cancer is granted. The application to reopen the claim for PTSD with sleep disorder is also granted. However, service connection for a psychiatric disorder remains remanded.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of TDIU due to service-connected subacute bacterial endocarditis.

The Board has denied a prior effective date for the 100% rating of PTSD and has remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD.

The veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for PTSD and a right leg disability has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of both issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total social and occupational impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure during combat operations. Service connection for PTSD is also granted as the Veteran's symptoms are linked to his combat experiences. Bilateral hearing loss was not established by VA audiometric testing.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The current symptoms include depression, anxiety, sleep loss, mild memory loss, loss of motivation, suicidal ideation, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been granted service connection, with a rating of 50 percent for depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection and related benefits, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. The effective date assigned was July 20, 2012.

The Veteran's laceration of the scalp, residuals of head injury, was restored to a prior rating of 10 percent effective July 11, 2013. A compensable increased rating for chronic paronychia of the fingers/fingernails was granted. The Veteran's TBI residuals including headaches were rated at 30 percent. The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia was denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and diagnoses, including PTSD. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed again with a focus on verifying combat experience in Beirut and addressing the validity of the reported sexual assault. The claim for sleep apnea is also being remanded as there was no valid Notice of Disagreement filed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in either case.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of extraschedular criteria.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, and plantar fasciitis disabilities. The claim for eye disability (blurred vision) was also denied.,Service connection for sinus disability, pulmonary disability due to asbestos exposure, respiratory disability (residuals of pneumonia and restrictive lung disease), major depressive disorder, and PTSD were all denied.

The Board has determined that the current VA opinion is inadequate and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service, as well as whether it is secondary to PTSD or congestive heart failure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted. The ratings for his PTSD and peripheral neuropathy have been established, with some adjustments based on when they began.

The Veteran's service connection for a mood disorder, including PTSD, was granted with an effective date of February 26, 2004, based on new evidence received in September 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further evaluation.