PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, to include as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder, has been reopened and remanded for further development. The Board found new and material evidence in the form of private medical opinions indicating a possible link between the Veteran’s CAD and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. Additional development is required to verify in-service stressors and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied, with the effective dates not being earlier than December 8, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD, OCD, and Depression have been rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board has found that the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's rating for PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol and drug abuse was restored to 100 percent effective January 1, 2012. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 14, 2015 is now moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD and other conditions, leading the Board to grant a TDIU effective September 19, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not require hospitalization or convalescence for more than 21 days, thus the temporary total evaluation was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for further evaluation and a TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the severity of his psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether PTSD is related to his combat experience in Vietnam. Additionally, updated treatment records are needed, and an examination is required to assess the nature and etiology of hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions were not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of left knee disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), bilateral pes planus, and asthma. The Veteran's claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a new examination to assess his current level of impairment. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his left knee disability and coronary artery disease, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 30, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 50 percent disability rating since the effective date of service connection, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if the disability warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include seeking an increased evaluation for PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection and lack of a confirmed diagnosis for PTSD. The issues include bilateral knee conditions, erectile dysfunction, enlarged prostate, urinary function issue, and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD).

The Board dismissed the appeals of service connection claims for bilateral hip disorder and left shoulder disorder. The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was granted.