PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including verification of an in-service stressor and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and to obtain additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's PTSD and left shoulder disabilities will be reconsidered in light of the newly acquired evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his PTSD contributed to his atherosclerotic vascular disease and dementia.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of December 6, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as of this date.

This decision remands three issues: entitlement to an increased rating for hypotonic rectal sphincter with anal seepage, PTSD, and chronic occipital headaches. The Veteran's service connection is established but the ratings are not appropriate.,PTSD was rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,Hypotonic rectal sphincter with anal seepage has been rated at 30 percent since January 27, 2009. The evidence does not support a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for extensive leakage and fairly frequent involuntary bowel movements.,Chronic occipital headaches have not yet received a rating.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and an unspecified anxiety disorder claimed as PTSD have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and back disability was denied. The Veteran also had claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy which were all denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from June 25, 2010 to September 12, 2011 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to service or exposure to loud noise during service.

The appeal seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is dismissed. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD) is granted, but the appeals for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities as well as hypertension are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's other claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to March 17, 2014 and over 70 percent thereafter is denied. The claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure and hypertension are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and bipolar disorder, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, are being remanded. Additional VA treatment records from the Beckley VAMC need to be obtained, and the case should be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal regarding tinnitus, PTSD, and various wrist and hand strains has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,PTSD remains rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, bilateral knee, and chronic fatigue syndrome have been denied.,PTSD was not diagnosed or related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and any other acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran needs to provide more information about her service, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted for the period prior to May 14, 2015. A rating of 70 percent is assigned. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is remanded for further development and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and a higher rating in excess of 50 percent for this condition has been denied.