PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder are related to an in-service personal assault. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to address the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability. The case is being remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD requires a higher rating and also needs to be evaluated for TDIU, both of which require further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to consider if it should be increased.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding his eye disorder claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD, bipolar disorder, and cocaine dependence is being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and additional records.

The Veteran's osteophyte bilateral hip disability, spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis, sinusitis, and PTSD are all found to be related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran’s claimed conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of reopening his service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) secondary to service-connected sinusitis. The cases are remanded for further development.

The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death has been reopened. The case is being remanded to allow a VA mental health professional to review the evidence and determine if an in-service stressor occurred, whether PTSD was caused by service, and if any acquired psychiatric disability contributed to the Veteran's suicide.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and a TDIU due to additional evidence being added to the record. The AOJ is required to review this evidence, obtain any outstanding VA and private treatment records, and schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 26, 2012 for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with anxiety is denied. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability was shown within the one-year period prior to September 26, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, with a current diagnosis and established link to his combat service. The decision is based on equipoise evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 1, 2012, to July 25, 2013. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his prostate cancer and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD disability rating is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and for obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was reopened and granted. Service connection for PTSD and dysthymic disorder as secondary to service-connected cystic acne of the face and related scars were also granted.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, increased rating for chronic lumbar sprain with associated right lower extremity radiculopathy, and kidney condition were dismissed. The appeals for service connection for a right shoulder condition, sinus condition, obstructive sleep apnea, GERD, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, major depressive disorder (MDD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), left shoulder condition, sleep apnea, cold injury residuals of the extremities, adenitis tuberculosis, and skin condition due to outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective September 5, 2018. A separate 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted starting February 23, 2017.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are granted as service connected due to the evidence being at least in equipoise regarding their causation by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psycho organic syndrome (claimed as dementia), numbness in the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and posttraumatic stress disorder have been denied. The claim for TDIU has been remanded.