PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is supported by medical evidence and there is a link between his in-service stressors and his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash of the hands has been denied as there is no indication in the record that he has been diagnosed with this condition at any time during the course of his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, anxiety, depression, and mood disorder, remains pending due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are related to his in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to determine if her condition has worsened since the last evaluation in September 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, left shoulder disorder, and cervical spine disorder have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has not received the signed operating room consent form for the February 2007 prostatectomy and subsequent surgeries. The Veteran's claim for service connection is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need to verify a claimed in-service stressor and obtain another VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service-connected. Service connection for Hepatitis C remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 20 percent for impairment of the left clavicle or scapula due to new evidence. The Veteran's PTSD stressor is related to his service, but further examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for coronary artery disease and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to December 1, 2016 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran’s impairment from his PTSD more nearly approximated a 70 percent rating since December 1, 2016.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, as he withdrew his request. The issue of nonservice-connected pension was denied due to the appellant receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits which made him ineligible for concurrent receipt of VA compensation and pension.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted, including a lay statement of an in-service stressor. The claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar back condition, bronchitis, and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and/or examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD did not result in total occupational and social impairment, thus the initial rating of 30% prior to January 30, 2015, and a subsequent increase to 70% thereafter until June 23, 2016, was denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include back condition, bilateral hearing loss, skin condition (presumed due to Agent Orange exposure), and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and MDD secondary to service-connected PTSD have been granted.