PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, left foot disability, HTN, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder. The claim will be further investigated to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA examination and employment information. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to August 20, 2012, but a higher rating is sought.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease, PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss) make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is not service connected as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's right elbow, cervical spondylosis with left radiculopathy, lumbar spondylosis L4-L5, paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, and CTS are not service connected as they are not related to his service-connected right knee tear of the lateral and medial meniscus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if she has any current acquired psychiatric disorder and whether it is related to her military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent for the entire period on appeal, with occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and left great toe disability. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for PTSD due to lack of a current diagnosis, credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, or competent medical evidence linking current symptoms to service. The claim for left great toe disability remains pending as the RO has not issued a Statement of the Case.

The appeal of the service connection claim for TBI is dismissed. Service connection for PTSD is granted, and the issue of service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are worsening and need to be evaluated again. The nature and etiology of his hypertension will also be clarified.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his hypertension is related to service. His sleep apnea and ankle/knee/hip disorders may also require clarification regarding their relationship to service.,VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's right and left ankle disorders, right and left knee disorders, left hip disorder, and shortening of the left leg.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these other claims and must be deferred until they are resolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in his need for aid and attendance and housebound status. Additional development is needed, including obtaining new examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right and left plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur with degenerative joint disease are each rated at 20 percent.,PTSD is rated at 50 percent.,Service connection for shortness of breath, lumbar spine disorder, and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's lower back condition was denied in a final November 2011 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective April 20, 2018. Temporary total rating for PTSD was granted from March 5, 2018 to April 20, 2018 due to hospitalization.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since March 25, 2014 due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of entitlement to a TDIU rating because the record lacks adequate medical information to determine whether the Veteran’s PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. An examination is required to resolve this issue, and should discuss the impact of the Veteran's PTSD on his employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his participation in the rescue effort following a ship collision on November 22, 1975. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to September 12, 2017, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter, as well as for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, have been dismissed due to the appellant’s withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records. The TDIU claim is also being held in abeyance due to its connection with the PTSD claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST) during service. The Board found reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran regarding whether the assault occurred during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, malaria, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.