PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding VA medical records and a need for a new PTSD examination.

The Board granted an effective date of May 20, 2010 for the award of service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to Military Sexual Trauma. This decision is based on newly received service treatment records that were not available at the time of a previous denial in December 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire period on appeal, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to conflicting evidence regarding their onset.,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions as there is insufficient evidence linking them to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective September 24, 2014. The Board has found that a remand for a more contemporaneous VA examination of his PTSD is necessary due to the passage of time and evidence of increased symptomatology.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS are rated at 70 percent. The Board granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a March 2015 VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records and undergo a new examination for clarification.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the claimant did not provide credible supporting evidence for his claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining the exact dates of his active duty. The claims for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right foot metatarsalgia, cervical spine disability, chronic myositis of the paracervical spine muscles, left shoulder disability, left arm disability, lumbar spine disability, chronic myositis of the paralumbar spine muscles, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent from May 27, 2010, and at 70 percent from September 15, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, hypertension, PTSD, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and rectal fistula were denied. The claim for psychiatric disability was not addressed as it was presumed to be PTSD.,Service connection was not established for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between the condition and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding right shoulder disability, TBI, right leg disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for SMC.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether a psychiatric disorder related to service contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death by causing heart problems that caused or contributed to death. The appellant must provide additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete record, including a need for verification of stressor events. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than schizophrenia (including PTSD and bipolar disorder) is now before the RO for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death from an acute myocardial infarction.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a higher disability rating for left knee osteoarthritis, and eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle or adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete employment records from the VA Medical Center and City of Bridgeport, which could affect the rating for IBS and the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 27, 2009. However, the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted from October 15, 2010 onwards.

The Veteran's PTSD and other service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing and maintaining employment since April 2010. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain updated information about his work history, SSA records, and a VA examination for his PTSD.