PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD, and to obtain updated medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right ankle condition, left foot disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and alcohol dependence), and bruxism. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back condition, pes planus, and PTSD. The claim for left ear hearing loss was granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD and sleep apnea, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to active service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only, and the case is remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is rated at 70 percent since April 9, 2012. Prior to that date, the rating was 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia and PTSD. The case will be returned to VA to obtain additional records and provide a medical examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, PTSD, and alcoholism due to a lack of VA examination or medical opinion. The Veteran's STRs noted frequent headaches, and his alcoholism may be related to his major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD causally related to his active service. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is remanded due to missing medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 25, 2014 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD with traumatic brain injury is granted. The Board found that the criteria for a 70 percent rating were met in the year prior to his increased rating claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and a review of his service records to determine if he experienced in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and TBI. His PTSD symptoms are rated at 50% prior to October 9, 2014, combined with a separate 70% rating for TBI from that date.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of October 7, 2013. The Board found that the evidence demonstrated a diagnosis of PTSD as early as July 2011 and that it was related to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a seizure disorder (blackouts), headaches, and angioneurotic edema as the Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of in-service stressors or medical diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depression have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, which is why TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100% evaluation for PTSD, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's PTSD warranted such a rating prior to March 2, 2009.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the claims for service connection for vertigo, acquired psychiatric disorder, and hearing loss. The Veteran's claims will be remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection of ischemic heart disease is dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are remanded, as well as the TDIU claim due to the inextricably intertwined nature of these issues.