PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of clear evidence to rebut the presumption of regularity that applies to VA's date-stamping of incoming mail, and thus, the earliest possible effective date is June 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received by the Veteran, which led to a reopening of his claim for service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder related to fear of hostile military activity and sexual assault during service.

The Veteran's avascular necrosis of the left hip is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% rating from May 9, 2006. Basic eligibility for Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) is granted prior to August 22, 2012. Appeals for other issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in a previous VA examination, and the Veteran is required to undergo a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since February 6, 2017. Prior to that date, the rating was 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with depression and anxiety (previously rated as posttraumatic stress disorder) has been manifested by no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Board denied an increased rating for the disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss disabilities. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied due to lack of a diagnosed PTSD. The decision is based on the absence of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and GERD, gastritis, and duodenitis have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also receiving a 30% rating for his GERD, gastritis, and duodenitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is granted, but the Board finds that further development is necessary before the merits of the underlying claim can be addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to his hip and pelvis disabilities.

The Board finds that remand is warranted because the VA examination did not address functional impairment due to other service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right shoulder supraspinatus tendonitis. The Veteran's claims file must be made available to the examiner for an evaluation of his ability to function in a work setting and perform tasks.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD was received on September 19, 2014. The Board found that the effective date of this grant cannot be earlier than the date he filed a new claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records. The Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses will be evaluated to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and her claimed personal assault. The Veteran needs to provide more information for VA to corroborate these events, and a psychiatric examination is required to determine if her current mental health conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his conditions are related to military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but needs further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and related neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since at least March 9, 2011. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective from July 20, 2015.