PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is at least in equipoise with his assertion and VA examination. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD remains remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of evidence, including obtaining a VA mental disorders examination to address the nature and etiology of any diagnosed PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, left ankle and foot, gout, eye conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and major depressive disorder. The appeals were based on a direct relationship to service without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in the VA examiner's opinion and the need for updated treatment records. The ED claim will be readjudicated if service connection is granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for trapezius and lumbar region pain with scoliosis and age-related degenerative changes was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and his military service.,The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable criteria. The Board concluded that the Veteran’s symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination, requiring a new VA examination for the Veteran's psychiatric disability claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma because the stressor has not been verified and a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD with pacemaker, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to attend to the wants of nature and a mental incapacity that requires care and assistance on a regular basis. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these service-connected conditions cause the Veteran to be in need of actual personal assistance from others, thus granting SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as new evidence did not relate to a previously unestablished element of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, gall bladder removal, a back disability, and a right shoulder disability are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for gall bladder removal is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right foot ganglion cyst removal is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from September 28, 2005 and a higher rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for PTSD has been granted. The issues of service connection for depression and PTSD, TBI, post-operative chondromalacia of the right knee, varus and valgus laxity of the right knee, low back strain, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was received on October 27, 2010. The Board found that the effective date could not be earlier than this date as there is no indication of an unadjudicated claim prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD claim, including a lack of mention of sexual assault and an invalid psychological test. The Veteran needs to be re-examined by VA to determine if he has PTSD related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, DMII, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantial gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined disability rating of 90%.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides. PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for additional development, including obtaining State Department of Corrections mental health and psychiatric treatment records. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the PTSD rating claim.