PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, including as due to a military sexual trauma, is remanded. The Board will give the Veteran another opportunity to participate in a VA psychological examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder was withdrawn. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is reopened, and he is granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma with residual scars. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety have been rated at 50% prior to February 23, 2015, and at 70% thereafter. The Board has also granted a TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of both issues, and the Board has dismissed them.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The issues of service connection for PTSD, TBI residuals, respiratory disorder, and skin disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected migraine headaches, PTSD and anxiety disorder. Therefore, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for dermatitis. The cases of bilateral knee disability and an acquired psychological disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The appeal for urinary frequency has been reopened and granted, with an initial 50% disability rating for PTSD prior to October 16, 2014, and a higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent for the entire period on appeal due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis, COPD, headaches, sleep apnea, arthritis conditions, eye disabilities, circulatory problems, neuropathy, radiculopathy, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, hip disabilities, psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, and other unspecified conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no evidence that the condition was caused by in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied as he does not meet the schedular requirements and has not provided information about his employment status.

Service connection is granted for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar spine spondylosis, as well as other service-connected disabilities. The effective date for the award of service connection for hemorrhoids is set at November 29, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran is employed in a substantially gainful occupation as a minister, which does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and for an additional VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders that may be present.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, need further examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient indication of current disabilities related to the Veteran's service and has ordered additional VA examinations to address his claims for service connection. The Veteran's mental condition, including PTSD, depression, fatigue, and sleep problems, as well as his gout, left knee strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with pes anserine bursitis, and status post repair grade 2 strain right achilles tendonitis and normal healed surgical scar are being examined to determine their relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.