PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and eating disorder has rendered her unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent throughout the appeal period, effective from August 30, 2016. The Board found that his symptoms met the criteria for a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to her military service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened and requires a new VA examination to assess her current disability level. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU is denied because she was gainfully employed prior to April 17, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and evaluations to address inconsistencies in his diagnoses and treatment records, particularly regarding lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 50 percent rating, effective from December 13, 2011. A higher rating is denied prior to August 23, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include depression and PTSD, and for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease; lumbar myositis; multilevel lumbar disc disease with disc protrusion at L4-L5 level and Schmorl's node and disc bulge at L5-S1 level for the period prior to January 25, 2012. The Veteran is required to undergo further medical examinations and provide additional information regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a headache disability and granted it. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for peptic ulcer disease. The remaining issues of service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for carcinoid tumors is dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his claimed conditions and active duty service. The Veteran needs to be examined by a VA examiner for each of his six claimed disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and antisocial personality disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeal is granted on this basis.

The Board has denied service connection for a right hip disorder as secondary to the service-connected left ankle and left foot disabilities. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is dismissed.

The Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his in-service stressor of serving as a funeral detail, and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD with substance abuse.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for OSA and PTSD due to outstanding VA treatment records, potential Vet Center records, and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating for PTSD has been dismissed because he did not file a notice of disagreement with the assigned disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder and opioid use disorder in sustained remission. The Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service assault, and his major depressive disorder and opioid use disorder are secondary to his PTSD.