PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD and related panic disorder are granted service connection. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus (to include consideration on an extraschedular basis), and service connection for hepatitis b is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities because of the need for additional evidence and an updated medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased saliva production and dry mouth, allergy symptoms, sleep apnea, hives (dry skin), restless leg syndrome, spasms and body jerks, sensitivity to smells and odors, photophobia, headaches, fatigue, vertigo and balance issues due to Gulf War Syndrome. The remand requires a new VA examination for PTSD and clarification of the Veteran's claimed stressor events.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for vertigo, traumatic brain injury, migraine headaches, PTSD, and hypertension as secondary to PTSD due to insufficient notification.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to PTSD, and for ischemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation aggravation of hypertension is remanded due to incomplete VA examination reports.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and needs further examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to service.

The Veteran's appeals seeking an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse prior to May 16, 2017; an earlier effective date for a temporary total evaluation for cubital tunnel syndrome; and increases in the ratings assigned for cubital tunnel syndrome have been dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as being secondary to the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and polysubstance abuse in sustained remission is currently rated as noncompensable effective May 28, 1997; and rated as 100 percent disabling effective September 7, 2005. The appeal period is from May 28, 1997 to September 7, 2005. The Veteran's PTSD has progressed over time, but the RO should attempt to retrieve any and all relevant treatment records that predate 2005, specifically records from Highland Dr.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, are being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting diagnoses and lack of clear evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was submitted on September 19, 2013. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the claim was received in September 2013.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in February 2009, but he filed a petition to reopen the claim on March 18, 2013. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is set at March 18, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Board also denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II was remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Schizoaffective Disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service stressors and current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD was denied, and the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability to include as secondary to service-connected disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of his initial evaluation for PTSD, with secondary major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcohol abuse resulted in a 70% rating since November 30, 2009. The Board also granted remand for further evaluation of other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to April 8, 2015 did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent.