PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD, and also because some evidence suggests that his TDIU claim is intertwined with this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD. The case is being sent back for a VA examination to determine if the sleep apnea is related to his active duty service or any service-connected conditions, and whether it is caused by medications used to treat other conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of asthma has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of increasing the PTSD rating.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including muscle pain due to an undiagnosed disorder, left Achilles sprain, chronic fatigue as due to undiagnosed illness, respiratory disorder, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, erectile dysfunction, neuropsychological symptoms, headaches, neurological condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are being remanded for further evaluation.

The appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss and skin condition have been dismissed. The appeal of PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded both the increased rating for PTSD and the TDIU claim due to missing VA examinations. The Veteran's failure to appear for his scheduled examination is being addressed, and a new examination will be arranged.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and for a higher evaluation for meralgia paresthetica due to inadequate rationale in previous examinations and the need to verify in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been evaluated since his last examination in 2015. The Board is remanding the case to obtain updated treatment records and schedule a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 15, 2009, for a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is denied. The appeal regarding the remaining issues is dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 27, 2012, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity caused by symptoms such as anger, depressed mood, hypervigilance, flattened affect, mood swings, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, PTSD, and inguinal hernia were denied. The claim for PTSD was also remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of October 29, 2009. The original claim was denied in May 2007 and reopened on October 29, 2009.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if she warrants an increased rating. Additionally, her TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated evidence and notification of what is required to substantiate this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and gastrointestinal (GI) disorder due to incomplete or insufficient examination reports. The Veteran is requested to undergo new VA examinations using DSM-5 criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, residuals of a head injury, and PTSD due to additional evidence being associated with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and psychiatric disorders due to incomplete records, including prison medical records. The case will be processed as though the request for a hearing had been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The VA is required to attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s in-service stressors and provide an addendum opinion on the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of a current disability or a link between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Veteran's atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease was granted an initial 30 percent rating prior to June 30, 2017 and a 60 percent rating from that date. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating effective June 29, 2017.,Entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 29, 2017 was also granted.