PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to confirm a DSM-5 compliant diagnosis of PTSD and to determine if any psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's assertions regarding in-service stressors have been confirmed, and he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and urinary dysfunction associated with prostate cancer have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and determinations regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder, peripheral vascular disease, headaches, and bilateral lower extremity nerve disorder, all potentially related to exposure to petroleum products during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 24, 2012. Since then, he has been in receipt of a combined 100 percent schedular rating for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to incomplete records from the Vet Center. The case will be returned after obtaining these records and readjudicated.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for PTSD, back disability, neck disability, respiratory disability, tinnitus, and CFS. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered in determining whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for lack of concentration was dismissed. Service connection was granted for PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, GERD, and benign lipoma.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, MDD, and GAD) is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since April 12, 2012. The effective date for this rating remains the same as the initial grant of service connection in July 2006.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD (Personality Disorder and Depression), has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that has not been considered by the RO.

The Veteran's appeals regarding PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and asthma have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and further assessment of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol use and TDIU have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for frostbite of fingers and cheeks, residuals of lightning electrocution, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) have been dismissed. The appeal regarding the psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is attributable to service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD. The Board has remanded this matter due to a need for clarification and potential motion for clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has found that there is an indication that the Veteran's bilateral foot condition may be related to his active duty service, but insufficient evidence exists to decide this claim. The PTSD claim requires further development due to unverified in-service stressor allegations.