PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder and bereavement was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they were not severe enough to cause total occupational and social impairment. For the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from November 30, 2011 to November 8, 2016, the Veteran was granted TDIU effective November 8, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU effective November 22, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for Major Depressive Disorder, as secondary to PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 1, 2011 to February 3, 2013 was granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of hypertension, left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, right shoulder strain, right lateral epicondylitis, right ankle strain, upper airway resistance syndrome, and PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a skin disorder due to herbicide exposure need further examination and evidence collection. The VA will attempt to obtain all relevant records, including private treatment records and VA treatment records. They will also schedule new VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for both PTSD and schizophrenia, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and that his schizophrenia did not begin during or as a result of service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as there is no probative evidence of a current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for updated VA treatment records and a current examination of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% rating. The Board remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and recognition as the helpless child.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 22, 2009 was granted. The increased rating claims and TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence, and the Board found that his PTSD is related to military sexual trauma during service. Service connection for PTSD is now granted.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is insufficient and requires further clarification regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD, as well as whether it was aggravated by his mental health condition. The case will be remanded for an addendum opinion from another examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and residuals of traumatic injury to include post-concussive headaches have been denied. The effective date for service connection has also been denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence warrants a remand for further evaluation, and his TDIU claim is also being remanded due to potential new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and an unspecified depressive disorder, but denied sleep apnea. The case is remanded to obtain private treatment records related to IBS.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hearing loss. The Veteran's PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease (IBS/GERD), hypertension, fatigue, and various knee and elbow disabilities has been denied as the evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during service or their current existence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder are being remanded due to procedural issues. The AOJ must issue a Statement of the Case, obtain updated VA treatment records, request private treatment releases, schedule a VA examination, and readjudicate the cases.