PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a stroke and an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran has PTSD caused by in-service stressors, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded to determine the current severity of his condition and its impact on his employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased initial rating for PTSD, leaving the claim dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to new evidence received after the initial rating decision and an attorney's brief. The claim will be reconsidered with this additional information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness was denied, and the effective date for his award of service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder was set at December 16, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating for PTSD is dismissed, and the earlier effective date claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence and cocaine abuse has been rated at 70 percent since August 14, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms met the criteria for a total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including for rheumatoid arthritis, an allergy disability, asthma, and a psychiatric disability (including PTSD and agoraphobia), due to the need for additional development. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability is also being remanded as it includes allegations related to in-service sexual assault.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30% from July 20, 2011 to January 11, 2018 and at 50% since January 11, 2018. Service connection for a skin disorder (melanoma) is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and disability ratings related to squamous cell carcinoma, hypertension with renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and increased ratings for various peripheral neuropathies were denied. The claim for service connection for PTSD was not supported by evidence of current diagnosis or a link to service, while the other claims were denied based on lack of additional evidence showing that the conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to in-service personal assault, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 100 percent prior to August 26, 2014, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as he is able to perform sedentary work and has a history of working in various occupations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 17, 2010. The Board also granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety due to new evidence received since the final July 2013 rating decisions. However, additional development is needed as a VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased evaluation for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder. The remaining issues of service connection for frostbite, trench foot, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD are remanded for further development.