PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ED was denied. His claim for SMC due to loss of use of a creative organ was also denied. However, his PTSD was granted with a 50% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The decision also remanded the issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was denied in a December 2012 rating decision, which became final. New evidence submitted since that decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, as well as CAD secondary to herbicide agent exposure, are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence regarding his reported stressors. Additionally, a VA examination is required to determine whether he now has a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, bilateral shin splints, right eye disability, and PTSD due to lack of medical evidence showing current disabilities during the appeal period.

The Board has denied reopening the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot condition, sleep apnea, and gastrointestinal disorder. The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his service-connected hearing loss and PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 25, 2014 for a 100% total disability rating on multiple service-connected conditions was denied as none of the conditions increased in severity within one year prior to his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service and the VA clinicians have concluded that he experienced racial assaults during his time in service.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from December 19, 2013, to May 14, 2014, due to service-connected PTSD and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. Prior to this period, he did not meet the criteria for TDIU as his combined disability rating was insufficient.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms and service, as well as the need for further development in relation to his claim for colon cancer.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to incomplete records and need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD. The case will be returned for further development, including a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and a heart condition claimed as tachycardia are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and lumbosacral strain, but denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain. The claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD related to a stressor in service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for unspecified bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since August 26, 2016. The initial rating for CAD remains at 60 percent from May 1, 2012.

The Veteran’s major depressive disorder with dysthymia, alcohol abuse in remission and cognitive disorder due to cerebrovascular accident is rated at 70 percent since November 28, 2012.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for left upper extremity muscle weakness was denied as it was received more than one year after separation from service.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity muscle weakness was denied as it was received more than one year after separation from service.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for impaired swallowing with dysarthria due to cerebrovascular accident was denied as it was received more than one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for service-connected post-concussive headaches and PTSD with major depression, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, was granted an initial rating of 50 percent prior to March 2, 2012.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic retinopathy of the right eye, neuropathy of the left hand, and PTSD are granted. The remaining issues (neuropathy of the right hand and psychiatric disability other than PTSD) are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.