PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of PTSD due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's PTSD is now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for service-connected PTSD prior to April 26, 2015, was granted. The claim for a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD after April 26, 2015, was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of September 21, 2013, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for a bilateral knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inextricability of his TDIU claim with other service connection claims. The TDIU issue will be deferred until all other claims are adjudicated.

The Veteran's death was caused by accidental intoxication due to the combined use of alcohol and sertraline, which is considered willful misconduct. The service-connected PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, cataracts, erectile dysfunction, loss of smell and taste, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during service or any other basis for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective VA medical opinion to clarify the Veteran’s symptoms of residuals of TBI prior to August 1, 2015.

The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, the case is remanded as further medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is at least as likely as not proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to the need for new examinations as his disabilities had worsened since the last VA examination in 2013. The Board found that a thorough and contemporaneous medical examination is necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and satisfactorily establishes that the claimed head injury residuals originated during the Veteran’s active service. For PTSD, the Veteran's current rating of 50 percent is upheld as there are no symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to concerns about the thoroughness of his VA examination and changes in his condition over time.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD and a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a PTSD examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent disabling, and his CAD with residual scar is not entitled to a higher rating. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss and prostate swelling.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for Parkinson’s disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure in service is denied.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure in service is denied.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to ischemic heart disease is denied.,Bilateral knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and residuals of spider bite on the right hand are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection for skin condition is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD are granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new evidence submitted by VA and the Veteran, which requires further review and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional information and examination regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increase in the disability rating for PTSD, resulting in its dismissal.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, including a psychiatric evaluation to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, an updated examination for his service-connected coccyx fracture, and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted for mixed headaches with vascular and muscle contraction components.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his conditions, particularly regarding his TBI and radiculopathy.