PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and dysthymic disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding in-service stressors. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is now pending again, and the AOJ must verify his claimed stressors with appropriate records repositories.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current conditions began during service or were related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's Schmorl’s nodes of the lumbar spine are found to be etiologically related to her active service and service connection is granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, thus an increased rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD is denied. The issues of service connection for lateral epicondylitis and cubital tunnel syndrome are remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, with symptoms including suicidal ideation and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships. The Veteran also received a 50 percent rating for migraines.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including OSA, knee disabilities, and psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claims were denied as he did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other chronic acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further investigation and clarification of her incarceration status, as well as an audit of her pension account. Additionally, there is a need to ensure proper notification regarding her right to appeal the overpayment of $18,692.07 in pension benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and a higher evaluation is requested. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD from December 6, 2008. The appeal regarding a higher rating prior to January 21, 2016 is remanded due to insufficient discussion in the Board decision.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to September 15, 2010 and February 8, 2013 for service-connected psychiatric disability were denied as there was no legal basis for the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional information and verification of in-service stressors, as well as an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD (including as secondary to the service-connected lumbar strain), service connection for hypertension, and service connection for loss of feeling and/or pain in the right leg (including as secondary to the service-connected lumbar strain).

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability, an increased rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 23, 2017, and 40 percent thereafter, for right shoulder instability, an increased rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 23, 2017, and 40 percent thereafter, for a back condition, and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 23, 2017, and 70 percent thereafter, for PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with an examination to determine the nature and etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent for his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, and the appeal is granted. The Board also remanded the case to obtain additional evidence and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no credible in-service stressors that support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and anxiety disorder. The VA is required to obtain a new medical opinion from an examiner other than the February 2012 VA examiner to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis in accordance with the DSM-5 based on MST.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The claim for a left knee disorder is reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial in March 2010. Service connection has also been established for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder on a secondary basis as it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability.