PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD with associated depression is rated at 100 percent effective January 21, 2010. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is moot as the Veteran already receives a 100 percent rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and his sensorineural hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's COPD, hypertensive heart disease, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including memory disorder, major depression, and generalized anxiety), and erectile dysfunction are all remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his left wrist disability, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, calculus of the left ureter, and PTSD. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability from September 27, 2007 to June 12, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone does not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the change in copayment status was proper, and will then review the service connection claims for PTSD and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating reductions for the Veteran's disabilities. The propriety of the reductions in evaluations for neck disability and bilateral hearing loss is under consideration, as are other claims including those for BPH, erectile dysfunction, gout, pre-diabetes mellitus, eye disability, left ventricular hypertrophy, back pain, tongue growth removal, creatinine kinase elevation, and accessory muscle of the neck.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a procedural issue and additional evidence was added since the last remand. The Veteran's effective date for PTSD service connection is being reviewed, as well as ratings for PTSD in excess of 10 percent prior to August 18, 2008 and in excess of 70 percent from that date.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and need for further development, including obtaining records from the Veteran's service, treatment during his withdrawal from university, and in-service stressor verification.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of PTSD and service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for tinnitus, bladder disability, skin disability, loss of teeth, chronic pain syndrome, blood clot on lungs, hypertension, and permanent incapacity were dismissed. The claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities are reopened but further development is needed due to the complexity of the issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the current severity of his PTSD, as well as consideration of whether he meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding whether the Veteran's claimed appliances and medications are related to his service-connected disabilities.

An initial 50 percent disability rating for PTSD is granted effective December 22, 2011. The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. The right knee, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), back disability, and neck disability claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, but denied reopening of his claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and back disability. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, Major Depression and Mood Disorder, CAD, and Hypertension. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are found to be related to his time in active duty.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and/or anxiety disorder. The Veteran will be provided with all relevant treatment records and must undergo an examination by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST), is being remanded for additional development.