PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, low back, double vision, disease of the nose, and migraine disorders due to failure to complete VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors and a need for further examination. The case will be returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and readjudication, as requested in a previous February 26, 2018 Board Remand. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance are pending.

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

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a combined rating of 70 percent is denied as the December 2010 rating decision is final and the Veteran did not perfect his appeal with respect to the initial disability ratings assigned in that decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and clarifying the Veteran's employment history.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no recognized disease associated with herbicide exposure, and the condition did not manifest during or within one year after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate condition was denied as there is no recognized disease associated with herbicide exposure, and the condition did not manifest during or within one year after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted based on a currently diagnosed psychiatric disability that is presumed to be related to his military service due to Vietnam-era service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was granted as there is evidence suggesting the condition began in service.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for foot, neck, back disabilities, and a TDIU. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to August 14, 2014 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board finds that a new examination is required to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA psychiatric examination to assess his current level of impairment with regard to his PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes were granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a confirmed diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his PTSD with a not otherwise specified depressive disorder and insomnia, as well as the issue of TDIU. Additional VA treatment records are needed, and a VA psychiatric examination will be scheduled to assess the impact on employment.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, as well as several other disabilities, due to lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of claimed stressors. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD based on verified stressor events, and there was no medical evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to active service.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as service connection due to exposure to environmental hazards during his military service.,Service connection for PTSD is granted based on the Veteran's reported combat stressors and current symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. The claims for increased ratings and SMC are remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, previously diagnosed as PTSD, has been granted a 70 percent rating for the entire period on appeal. The decision is based on his occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD and remanded it due to new evidence provided by the Veteran. The case is now pending further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Pes Planus, and Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Knee, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).