PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's dementia is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. For the entire appeal period, a 100 percent rating for PTSD has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to new evidence received and issues related to increased PTSD ratings and TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorders, are granted as service-connected due to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD requires regular aid and attendance due to his inability to keep himself clean and presentable, as well as his mental incapacity that necessitates care or assistance on a regular basis.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating for PTSD with TBI was granted effective November 27, 2011. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the claim was reviewed more than one year after the revised criteria took effect.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected PTSD is remanded because additional SSA records need to be obtained and a new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and TDIU due to a lack of updated VA treatment records and insufficient information regarding his employment. The Veteran will need to provide more details about his work history, including any work he has done outside of House Inc.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and clarification regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus. Other service connection issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, evaluation of depressive disorder and PTSD have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have worsened since his last VA examination, and a new evaluation is needed to determine the appropriate disability rating.

The Board has decided that an additional opinion is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, as the previous VA examiner did not provide a clear opinion on whether the sleep disorder was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that no formal or informal claim had been received prior to May 22, 2012, and that the effective date should be fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than the date of receipt of the claim to reopen, which is May 22, 2012.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, asthma, left foot disability, and migraine headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional evaluations. The increased rating claims for right knee disorder and left knee disorder are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% from January 27, 2010 to August 22, 2011. The Board denied a higher rating as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70% disability.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection and rating increases, except for the TDIU claim which was granted effective April 15, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and insomnia has been denied. The Veteran is also not entitled to increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability or coccygeal fracture residuals.,His bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy issues are remanded for further evaluation.