PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim for PTSD and determined that it is related to service, granting the Veteran's claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD. The examiner is required to consider all available medical records, including VAMC treatment notes.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression and anxiety, is granted as attributable to his active service.,An effective date of October 30, 2011 for the Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50 percent rating from September 25, 2013 to prior to July 1, 2015. The claims for right shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain are reopened.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to assess the severity of his symptoms and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent since October 29, 2010. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms such as depression, anxiety, irritability, anger, nightmares, chronic sleep impairment, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, hyperstartle response, avoidant behavior, inability to trust or discuss issues, disturbance in thinking and memories, isolation, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, decrease in participation activities, inability to take care of himself, impairment of short and long-term memory loss, disturbances of motivation and mood, neglect of personal appearance hygiene, and suicidal ideation with no intent or plan. The Board has granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him incapable of obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation since January 24, 2001. The Board granted an extraschedular TDIU for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability has been reopened and granted. His PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from February 13, 2015. The Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability for compensation purposes is denied as there is no indication of actual bone loss or other maxillary impairment.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than anxiety disorder, to include PTSD, is also denied due to the lack of current diagnosis and credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder remains remanded as there is no clear indication of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD are granted with a 30% disability rating. Service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder, is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated as 30 percent prior to December 27, 2016 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board denied the claims for higher ratings.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD should be remanded for a new VA examination to evaluate its current severity and functional impairment, as well as updated evaluations of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues of increased rating for PTSD prior to January 18, 2013 and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but remanded due to need for additional development and medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, PTSD, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to his period of service or a service-connected disability. His PTSD claim was also denied as there is no evidence he has the condition. Erectile dysfunction was found not to warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for a bilateral knee disability, hypertension, insomnia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, tinnitus, and PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination.