PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues for further development including VA examinations to determine current severity of service-connected disabilities and etiology of a deviated nasal septum disability. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee instability, right index finger amputation of distal phalanx, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's lower back disability, diagnosed as sacroiliitis and degenerative disc disease, is related to service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, and he is granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, tinnitus, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted service connection. The Veteran's PTSD has also been granted a 70 percent rating.,Service connection for hearing loss was dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the period from September 14, 2006 to January 10, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for a right ankle disability due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors and incomplete VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) and TDIU prior to September 11, 2012 due to insufficient evidence of record. A VA examination is needed to determine the Veteran's ability to care for his basic needs without assistance and a retrospective medical opinion is required to assess his functional impact on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his alleged involvement in covert operations during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a suggestion of possible worsening in PTSD symptoms, and for obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD, right shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability are rated appropriately. The case is being returned for further evaluation on the issues of service connection for hip disabilities, sacroiliac dysfunction, sleep disorder, and headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 8, 2014.

The Board has granted reconsideration of the claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that a relevant official service record was not previously considered. The Veteran's reported history of assisting in rescuing passengers involved in a motor vehicle accident during his service in Korea is sufficient to support an examination and opinion regarding the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions related to his military service, including cancer, shoulder issues, taste loss, numbness, fatigue, psychiatric disorders, and other health concerns. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness of the face and neck. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by loss of sense of taste, including any related conditions such as burned tongue or numbness of the face and neck. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by numbness of the left side of the face, neck, and chest, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or fatigue. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by chronic fatigue, including anemia and any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other stress-related disorders, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for residual scars related to cancer treatment, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a disability manifested by neurological deficits, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a thyroid disorder, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for fatty liver (hepatic steatosis), including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disorder, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including diarrhea and constipation, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for acid reflux, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea and other manner of sleep disorders, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from July 26, 2007 to October 16, 2012. The Board finds the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions alone preclude the Veteran from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective January 12, 2016. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are due to a personality disorder and substance abuse, not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was not received by VA prior to August 18, 2014. Therefore, an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of Department of Veterans (VA) compensation benefits, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience due to fault on the part of the Veteran in creating the overpayment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, was rated at 50% prior to January 29, 2015. The Board granted a higher rating of 70% effective from the date of remand (January 29, 2015).