PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for morbid obesity, PTSD, and hearing loss have been denied. The case is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between any diagnosed heart disorder(s) and the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for various psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder. The case is being reviewed de novo due to new evidence added in October 2012. A VA psychiatric examination is needed to determine if any of these conditions are related to service, particularly the sexual assault claimed during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and insufficient verification of his claimed stressors. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination and an attempt at verifying his service-connected stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2012. The evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records, specifically VA treatment records from September 2010 forward. The Veteran is advised to provide these records.

The Board has denied dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to the Veteran not meeting the criteria for a total disability rating for at least 10 years prior to his death. The claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded as new evidence has been submitted and may raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for alcohol abuse secondary to PTSD and an increased rating for PTSD due to inadequate VA medical examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's claims for back condition, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD remains pending as the stressor verification process is ongoing.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to insufficient information to corroborate the alleged stressor. After verification, service connection was granted for anxiety disorder, NOS with an initial evaluation of 30 percent. The Board finds a remand necessary as the regulations pertaining to the DSM-V are applicable and VA examinations should be conducted using these criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder NOS and PTSD), and residuals of ocular trauma are all granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment as required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted with a maximum 100% rating, effective from June 28, 2013. He also receives SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities. The TBI residuals are granted as well. However, issues related to dementia, ischemic heart disease, and TDIU prior to June 28, 2013 remain unresolved.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, but remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder are granted as service-connected due to in-service stressors involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current PTSD to an in-service personal assault. The preponderance of the evidence supports a conclusion that his PTSD was not incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected due to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.,The Veteran's near continuous thirst is not considered a separate disability for compensation purposes and thus denied.,The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD with depression, mood disturbances, anger, and panic attacks and therefore not separately service-connected.,The Veteran's left arm disability remains in dispute and requires further examination and evidence.,The Veteran's sleep disability (specifically sleep apnea) is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology, including consideration of herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's prostate disability and left-hand skin disability are both remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiologies, including consideration of herbicide exposure during service.,reasoning_summary

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with a disability rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development for verifying a stressor event in service and for another psychiatric examination.