PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records, complete employment information, and verify the Veteran's reported stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The Veteran also sought TDIU but was denied as he did not meet schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including sleep disorder, hypertension, right eye disorder, heart disorder, kidney disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claims for hypertension and gastrointestinal disorder secondary to PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a left wrist and hand injury, headaches, musculoskeletal pain, dizziness, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irregular heartbeat condition, skin condition, memory loss and concentration issues, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and post-traumatic stress disorder are all granted. The Veteran's service connection claims for his Gulf War-related conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his low back disability, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disabilities. The VA is required to provide examinations or obtain medical opinions in order to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, initial ratings for his low back and right lower extremity disabilities, and TDIU due to the need for updated examinations and opinions regarding the severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding records of VA evaluation and treatment since August 2016, provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit additional evidence, and arrange for a VA examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as there is no legal merit or entitlement under the law.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are remanded due to inconsistencies in VA treatment records and need for a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for arthrosis of the lumbar spine, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. Service connection for insomnia as a manifestation of PTSD is also granted. The claims for hypertension, headaches, pulmonary disability, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to lack of definitive opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left and right lower extremity compartment syndrome, service connection for a lumbar strain, testicular cancer (to include as due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune), right lower extremity scars, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. Additional VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded because new evidence has been added to the claims file, including VA treatment records and VR&E documents. The AOJ must consider this new evidence in their readjudication of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100% since July 19, 2012, due to total occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as suicidal ideation, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, persistent danger of hurting others, obsessional rituals, and impulse control issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence, particularly regarding a VA examination scheduled in December 2017. The Veteran's failure to report for this examination is being reviewed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to consider additional medical records that may affect this rating.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether his current psychiatric conditions are related to service. The case will be remanded.

The Veteran withdrew all issues in appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and Anxiety with Social Phobia was denied. The claim for TDIU prior to February 26, 2010 was also denied.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, but the Board has decided to remand for further evaluation of potential service connection.