PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. He also received TDIU from May 18, 2012 to July 23, 2014.

The claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral great toes is not reopened, and the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner is required to provide a new diagnosis and determine if there are any other diagnosed conditions related to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of PTSD is granted, effective from March 12, 2014. The decision also grants an effective date of November 18, 2013 for the initial grant of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and grants a total unemployability rating due to service-connected disabilities since November 18, 2013.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, and headache disability are granted service connection. However, hypertension is denied as it did not manifest within one year of the Veteran's discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is related to a sexual assault during her military service, and there is new evidence supporting this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to confirm a stressor event, but acknowledges that the Veteran's statements are credible and considers his lay statements in determining the nature of his psychiatric disabilities. A VA examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are granted as service-connected due to an in-service assault. The TDIU issue is remanded for further rating consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to new theories of entitlement and incomplete medical records. The cause of death must be determined, including whether it is related to service-connected PTSD or herbicide exposure. Additionally, a VA opinion on the failure to diagnose and treat pancreatic cancer will be required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied due to lack of evidence supporting in-service stressors. The claim has been reopened with new and material evidence submitted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, was also denied as there is no credible evidence that the claimed stressors occurred.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Capital Regional Medical Center due to a mild bleeding condition, finding that it did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for COPD and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The COPD claim is related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in service, while the PTSD claim requires further examination due to conflicting diagnoses.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating from July 7, 2008 to July 15, 2009. A separate 10 percent rating for right lumbar radiculopathy is granted effective July 7, 2008 and a 20 percent rating is granted effective February 9, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of bilateral hearing loss. The issue of an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is also being remanded due to claims of CUE in the May 2007 rating decision. TDIU is also being deferred as it may be impacted by the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as incurred during wartime service. The claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities associated with diabetes mellitus, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD secondary to service in Vietnam is being remanded due to the need for a thorough examination and additional medical opinions.