PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and examination reports. The issues include psychiatric disorders, prostate disorder, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, anemia, gastrointestinal disorders, skin disorder, bilateral eye disorders, low back disability, upper back disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with anxiety and Major Depressive Disorder with alcohol use disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressor events. The disability is rated noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder, finding that it began during active service. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD due to additional VA treatment records, a new examination, and AOJ review.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, is granted as service connected. The claims for left hip condition and right hip condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and incomplete development of service treatment records, particularly from U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego, California.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and a review of his service-connected disabilities, particularly his TBI and PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The case of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits were denied as the evidence did not show he was unemployable prior to May 16, 2011.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The issue of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's chronic hepatitis C is granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the period before September 26, 2017. For the period since September 26, 2017, a higher rating than 10 percent is denied. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claim for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending as additional information is needed from the Veteran regarding his treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective October 29, 2008. The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective April 19, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient notice and potential personal assault stressor not being verified. The Veteran's PTSD claim based on in-service personal assault will be reconsidered with additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to in-service events or stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate VA examinations, lack of proper testing in previous examinations, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus with cataracts, and bilateral hearing loss rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 17, 2016, and from December 1, 2016, to February 28, 2017.