PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for eczema and granted service connection for rhinitis. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, as well as a skin condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the Veteran's low back disability, but did not address a claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 10, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated treatment records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board finds that her symptoms are not related to military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied because the Veteran does not have a current disability. The Board notes that she did sustain acoustic trauma during active service, but this alone is not sufficient to establish service connection.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD due to MST is remanded as new evidence requires a review of her psychiatric symptoms under DSM-5 criteria.,Service connection for back disability is remanded as the VA examiner’s opinion was inadequate and did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of her back disability.,The Veteran's claim for sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea, is remanded as no sleep study has been performed to diagnose sleep apnea. The Board also notes that more information is needed about the status of her ovaries.,Service connection for sinusitis is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the VA examiner’s opinion was inadequate.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for major depressive disorder is remanded due to new information indicating worsening symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for salpingo-oophoritis with removal of right ovary is remanded as more information about the status of her ovaries is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for PTSD prior to May 13, 2011 is being remanded due to missing VA treatment records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain and PTSD are rated at 20 percent, but the rating for PTSD is denied as it does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees and remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and PTSD). The case is being returned to the RO for issuance of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% from May 21, 2009 to January 19, 2016 and at 70% since January 19, 2016. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), finding no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim and found that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, is related to his service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, subject to payment of monetary benefits. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for service-connected PTSD, to include depression and anxiety, is remanded due to the lack of a recent VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective July 29, 2011. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) due to lack of a medical nexus. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has determined that there is a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, and therefore service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus and PTSD remains denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for low back condition and upper back condition.,Service connection claims for lower and upper back conditions are pending, but further examination is needed as VA has not provided such a review.