PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, or related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for erectile dysfunction was denied. The claim to reopen left testicular atrophy was also denied, as the new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. A compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and right epididymitis were both denied. However, service connection for PTSD was granted with a 70% rating, effective from November 13, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been granted. The decision on the merits is pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension and remanded other issues related to service connection. The Veteran's claims are also remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck disability, traumatic brain injury, post-concussive headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability due to incomplete records. The AOJ is instructed to verify all periods of active duty, inactive duty for training, and active duty for training, including those from August 1983 to September 1983 and 1991 to 1993 with the 122nd Army Reserve Command. They are also directed to obtain any outstanding service treatment records and VA hospital records.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of cold injury residuals to hands and feet, as well as PTSD. The decision is due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD and CAD claims are being remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to the need for employment information.

The Veteran's claim for bladder cancer has been fully granted, and the issue is dismissed. The psychiatric disorder claim remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse was granted a 50 percent evaluation for the period prior to January 18, 2018. For the period beginning January 18, 2018, he is denied an increased rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing opinions regarding the service connection of sleep apnea and narcolepsy. The TDIU claim will also be deferred until these issues are addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of various conditions due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of supporting evidence. The issues include back disorder, neck disorder, pituitary adenoma (claimed as brain tumor), TBI, pes planus, hypertension, and headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding Social Security Administration records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 9, 2009 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded due to lack of a VA examination opinion on etiology.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to lack of a VA examination opinion on etiology.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 18, 2018 for the grant of TDIU is remanded due to lack of a VA examination opinion on etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in several areas, but not total social and occupational impairment. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to the lack of available service personnel records and inability to confirm the in-service stressor. The Board will schedule a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disability related to his service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not caused by his military service or his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and PTSD. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to his PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of current bilateral hearing loss, and the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms were considered mild or moderate with occasional decrease in work efficiency.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing notice regarding personal assault claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder and PTSD are related to his service, including exposure to combat situations in Vietnam. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is an indication of an association between the Veteran's active duty and a current psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD. The case is being remanded to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if his PTSD is related to his service.