PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected knee Osgood-Schlatter’s disease and PTSD with mood disorder are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted service connection, while his PTSD claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, but this is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is granted.,Ratings in excess of 10 percent are remanded for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees and hypertension.,Ratings in excess of 20 percent are remanded for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of both upper extremities.,TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection earlier than originally decided due to new evidence that corroborated his reported stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, mood disorder, and polysubstance abuse have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 3, 2012, to April 2, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder have been rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for these conditions. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and review.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder is rated at a 50 percent evaluation, which meets the criteria for reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran's right knee strain requires another VA examination to determine its extent of disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence, including a lack of discussion in the February 2015 VA examination report regarding prior service and a need for a new VA examination by a board certified psychiatrist.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and related psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and panic disorder, is granted. The claim for a right wrist disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 1, 2015, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for PTSD has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for eczema was denied, while her PTSD was granted with a rating of 30% effective September 3, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, a low back condition, a cardiovascular condition, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded as well.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his service-connected CRSD and PTSD, right ankle osteoarthritis, status post avulsion fracture, and right ankle scars have been granted. However, the specific rating assigned is not provided in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to October 15, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to the severity of her symptoms.

Service connection is granted for lumbosacral strain and PTSD/MDD. The issue of service connection for a bilateral eye condition remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the issues of increased evaluation for right ankle disability, service connection for right hip disorder, service connection for right leg disorder, and service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression with anxiety) are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for malignant melanoma and PTSD was denied. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating, effective November 18, 2015.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, the maximum rating available.,Tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent rating and cannot be increased further under VA regulations.