PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is remanded due to a legal defect in the previous statement of the case (SOC).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for a decision on service connection for PTSD. A VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's only service-connected disability is PTSD, rated as 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that income information up to the date of his last employment (2012) is needed to determine whether he had marginal employment for TDIU purposes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain is denied. The Board also remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD and for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral lower extremity paralysis secondary to surgical repair of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient private treatment records related to the Veteran's PTSD. The RO is instructed to obtain all available private treatment records, including those from the Vet Center.

The Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, neurological problems in both legs (claimed as a neurological disorder), and PTSD have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of service connection due to the lack of chronic symptoms related to these conditions during or immediately after service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset in service. The Veteran's hepatitis C claim will be remanded for a supplemental medical opinion, while his psychiatric disorder claim requires additional VA treatment records and a supplemental medical opinion from a psychiatrist.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was denied due to insufficient evidence, and the appeal is not about service connection. The Veteran's request for an increased evaluation for his left index finger disability is remanded.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder, which includes residual symptoms of PTSD, is granted as service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was caused by an in-service stressor, which has been corroborated.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and a 40% rating for lumbar strain with IVDS is also granted. The issues of secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction and peptic ulcer disease are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD as due to an in-service assault and/or MST because the Veteran's allegations of such events were not sufficiently corroborated, and there was no medical evidence linking his current mental health conditions to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral knee pain and granted it. The claims for flat feet, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), a pain disorder, heart disease, carotid artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and insomnia are all denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and differentiate its symptoms from those of an unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran also seeks higher ratings for PTSD, but this issue has been referred back for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and depression was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's preexisting migraine headaches are found to be aggravated by active service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy involving the sciatic nerve, cervical spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD, but there is conflicting evidence regarding its onset. An addendum opinion from a VA examiner is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.