PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for a low back disorder, PTSD, and a nervous disorder. The claims of service connection for right shoulder disorder and rhinosinusitis have been denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded for a VA examination at a different facility to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection and also raises a claim of CUE in the October 2007 rating decision. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS with PTSD are granted. A 70% rating is assigned for the service-connected depressive disorder from the date of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, to include a recurrent moderate major depressive disorder, has rendered him totally occupationally impaired for the entire period on appeal (December 21, 2004 thru October 23, 2016). As such, he is granted a 100 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding medical records and examination needs.

The Veteran's claim for a left hip disorder was denied, and her claim for PTSD was granted. The case is remanded for further examination of migraine headaches.

Allergic rhinitis and multiple joint pains (fibromyalgia) are granted. Service connection for lower back disability is reopened, but denied. Service connection for sarcoidosis and gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) as due to Gulf War illness are remanded.,PTSD rating in excess of 30 percent is remanded, as well as ratings for external hemorrhoids and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for chronic ingrown toenail of the right 5th toe, PTSD and major depressive disorder, and a right foot injury have been dismissed.,The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for left knee arthralgia, right knee arthralgia, left ankle arthralgia, and right ankle arthralgia have been granted. The appeals for these issues are remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right foot injury is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses of PTSD and lack of a nexus between current psychiatric conditions and service. The Veteran's lay statements, private and VA treatment records, and additional anxiety disorder diagnosis are considered.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available. The appeal for higher ratings on other conditions remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination that incorporates DSM-V criteria.

The Veteran's gastric ulcers are currently rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD is rated at 30 percent. Both conditions have been denied for increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and unspecified adjustment disorder), and coronary artery disease is granted. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise regarding these claims, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's CAD and anxiety disorder with PTSD symptoms have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance was determined to be due to a nonservice-connected neurocognitive disorder, not his service-connected PTSD with depression. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was received on October 31, 2013. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at this date as it is the earliest date that a claim can be considered.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major depressive disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied a rating in excess of this and also denied entitlement to a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have increased since his last VA examination, and he has retired early due to PTSD. The Board finds that a TDIU claim should be addressed as well.