PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been linked to sleep apnea, which is granted. However, his claims for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD remain denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, skin condition, and PTSD. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, left and right ankle disabilities, and headaches have been remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for PTSD due to a withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence that the condition manifested within one year after service and it did not meet VA compensation criteria.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and General Anxiety Disorder, due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded due to uncertainty in meeting the criteria under the DSM-5.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and for a higher rating for low back strain with spondylolisthesis. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability from the other two issues.

The Veteran's PTSD with polysubstance use disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating, as it does not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination and issues with communication. The Veteran is seeking service connection for MDD and PTSD, which he contends are related to his combat experiences in Korea.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his TDIU, which was initially awarded on January 1, 2009. However, the RO granted a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD and awarded statutory SMC at the housebound rate effective September 28, 2007. This renders the issue of TDIU moot.,The Veteran also sought an earlier effective date for DEA under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, which was granted in November 2017 and is now fully awarded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is granted, and the claim is reopened.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder is granted, and the claim is reopened.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information regarding his employment and education history, and the need for a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings and service connection are not fully addressed due to a lack of VA examinations, particularly regarding his skin conditions, foot disabilities, back disability, and psychiatric disorder. The Board is remanding these issues for further development.

The Board previously denied service connection for hypertension, but the Court has ordered a remand due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's hypertension may be related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's VA treatment records from the period on appeal are not fully available, and a remand is required to obtain these records in order to determine if he was entitled to a 100 percent rating prior to September 29, 2016.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as he withdrew his appeals in May 2016. The Veteran was granted a TDIU from July 26, 2012.

The Veteran's right elbow scar and PTSD have been rated, but the ratings are denied. The right elbow scar is not compensable, while the PTSD rating remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues related to PTSD, varicose veins, and ischemic heart disease. The Board dismissed these appeals as withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD with cannabis, opioid, stimulant, and alcohol use disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating.,An effective date of May 28, 2013 for the grant of a 70 percent disability rating for service-connected PTSD with cannabis, opioid, stimulate, and alcohol use disorder is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused significant occupational and social impairment, leading to a 70% rating for the entire appeal period.