PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to September 5, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for further development and referral to the Director of Compensation Services.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and additional efforts should be made through opinions rather than another in-person examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the Veteran's PTSD aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating increase for PTSD and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran failed to appear for a VA examination, but good cause was found. Another examination is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and a 10 percent rating for COPD with Interstitial Lung Disease is granted effective from April 6, 2018.,Increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss are denied.

The Veteran's claims for left lower extremity, lumbar spine, bilateral ear, skin or skin cancer, and psychiatric disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran's claim for nasal fracture residuals is also remanded as he has not been provided a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence of current symptomatology.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted with a 20% rating. The prostate cancer and PTSD claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50% disability rating effective December 23, 2016. The Board found that the increase in severity of his PTSD occurred approximately one year prior to the date of receipt of his claim for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examinations and lack of opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new medical records. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the September 1994 rating decision, but new evidence has been submitted supporting a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence, particularly regarding the Veteran's treatment records and his mental health history. The decision is pending further development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no legal basis to award such a date prior to October 28, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was dismissed due to his death.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for hypertension and OSA are denied, as the evidence does not support a link to service or service-connected conditions. Service connection for chronic disability manifested by poor circulation, to include stasis dermatitis, is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The issues of service connection and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating since October 9, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression; a higher initial disability rating for cervical spine disability; and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The remand includes additional stressor development and new examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for status post cataract surgery, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and PTSD with depression due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to August 6, 2013 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.