PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has ordered further development for issues related to stomach pain, GERD, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for shin splints of the right leg. The Board dismissed these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the revised Schedule for Rating Skin Disabilities.,The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 50 percent and no higher due to the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran's Other Specified Trauma and Stressor-related Disorder is granted service connection, while his other psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) remains denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 50% rating for the period prior to February 12, 2014. For the entire duration of the appeal, he is rated at 50%. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and variously diagnosed associated psychiatric disability is granted.,Service connection for GERD secondary to exposure to tactical herbicides / Agent Orange is denied.,An increased rating for loss of use of the left hand remains at 60 percent.,Effective dates prior to October 12, 2012, are not established for SMC for loss of use of the left hand, service connection for left knee instability, limitation of flexion, and limitation of extension.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to lack of recent treatment records and a need for a VA examination.

The appeal concerning service connection for avascular necrosis and compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is dismissed. Service connection for renal cancer, PTSD, bilateral foot disability, and lumbar spine disease is granted with a 70% initial rating for PTSD effective July 27, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. Therefore, a rating in excess of 70 percent for the period from July 15, 2013 to September 16, 2015 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70 percent, effective January 23, 2015. Ratings were granted for his right shoulder and left knee disabilities, but not for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as secondary to rhabdomyolysis, and she is assigned a 70 percent rating for her adjustment disorder with PTSD, mixed depression, and anxiety.,Her rhabdomyolysis is also granted, and she receives an initial 60 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported service history and need for further examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for TBI, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective medical examination to determine the appropriate disability rating(s) for PTSD from 1969 to June 2, 1988. The issues of increased rating and TDIU are intertwined as both determinations consider the impact of symptoms on occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new medical records.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he had a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for less than 10 years immediately preceding his death. The claim for DIC is denied.

The Veteran is denied an initial compensable rating for left and right toenail onychomycosis from July 14, 2011 through May 2, 2012.,The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for left and right toenail onychomycosis from May 3, 2012 through June 4, 2014.

The Board has determined that the VA examination for PTSD is inadequate, and thus remands the case to obtain a new examination. The issues of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and insomnia) are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 2013. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they were consistent with a 50 percent disability rating.