PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, headaches, PTSD, and left testicular torsion are being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is restored to a 70 percent rating. The case of an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and the TDIU claim are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was initially denied in April 1999. He submitted a timely notice of disagreement in July 1999, but did not receive a Statement of the Case. The effective date is set at August 6, 1999, as this is when VA first recognized his condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD due to new evidence received since the last denial. The case is now remanded for further development and an examination.

The Board granted an increased rating of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted service connection for a low back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), but remanded the claims for service connection for neck disability and secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA and SSA records need to be obtained and reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU, requiring additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease from September 1, 2011 to August 13, 2015 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals scars status post coronary artery bypass graft is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service department records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed dissociative disorder is at least as likely as not related to service, and therefore grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociative disorder, and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has worsened since the last VA examination, and a new examination is required to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in August 2013 is inadequate for evaluation purposes and that further evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis. The Board also notes conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran had a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD prior to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent for the entire appeal period, effective July 21, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding no valid diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV or DSM-5 by any qualified medical examiner. The evidence did not support a nexus between current mental health conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying a claimed stressor of military sexual trauma and scheduling an examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current mental health conditions.