PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder are at least as likely as not related to his service in Kuwait during Desert Storm and Somalia, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a traumatic brain injury, increased ratings for neck and PTSD disabilities, and earlier effective date for total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, PTSD, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Board found that new evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's PTSD and related symptoms, including anxiety and depression, are rated at 50 percent effective June 5, 1969. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed. The Board also denied the TDIU claim prior to January 1, 2015.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and the aggravation of her pre-existing acquired psychiatric disorder during her second period of ACDUTRA. The AOJ is instructed to verify these periods and obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for post bilateral photorefractive keratectomy and PTSD with depressive disorder is remanded. The appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was granted.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for left iliac fracture, status post gunshot wound, left pelvis and left buttock (Muscle Group XVII) is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an injury to Muscle Group XVIII, compensable disability rating for head scar, and initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from prior to February 25, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination in August 2012, and his claim for a higher rating is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and schedule him for an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that no informal claim was received prior to August 9, 2010.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it was caused by or a result of military service.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims for service connection for low back and psychiatric disabilities is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.,The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims for service connection for low back and psychiatric disabilities (to include PTSD) is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 28, 2014, for the grant of lumbar sprain with muscle spasms and dextroscoliosis was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on all of his claimed disabilities is being remanded due to the failure to schedule VA examinations and obtain necessary medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in 1985, and the Board finds that no effective date prior to October 31, 2013 can be granted as the evidence did not exist at the time of the original decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for updated treatment records and a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has increased in severity, and he should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination. The issues of an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU are inextricably intertwined and require remand.