PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened, but the issues related to active duty for training dates and other acquired psychiatric disorders need further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to a psychiatric condition. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with new evidence and a more comprehensive examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral shin splints, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain due to new evidence and need for further examination. The TDIU and DEA benefits claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it only approximates reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. However, additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current mental health conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee disability, have been denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for a chronic adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than an adjustment disorder remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, upper and lower respiratory disability, bilateral knee degenerative changes, left elbow epicondylitis; olecranon bursitis, muscle injuries, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), GERD, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions or that they were related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded due to inconsistencies in self-report and the need for a new examination after sobriety.

The Board denied service connection for OSA secondary to service-connected PTSD, but remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and cervical spine disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on the benefit of the doubt.

The Veteran's appeal was timely filed, and the Board found that his claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial disability ratings for tinnitus, PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to March 7, 2016, lumbar arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left ear hearing loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal for tinnitus. The remaining issues are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for left ankle sprain with arthritis and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and paranoid type schizophrenia. The VA is instructed to obtain any pertinent records and provide the Veteran with a new examination to determine if his conditions are related to service.

This appeal is dismissed for the issue of ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD symptoms has been granted an initial 70 percent rating from May 31, 2005 to January 2, 2013 and a TDIU has been granted.,An initial rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD symptoms is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current diagnosis of adjustment disorder with depressed mood and PTSD is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine appropriate disability ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and mood disorder, is also denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence corroborating the claimed in-service stressors.