PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for vertigo and PTSD were denied as there was no prior formal or informal claim filed within a year of the original decisions, and the treatment records prior to July 3, 1996 do not constitute an informal claim.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current state of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD due to additional evidence suggesting worsened symptomatology and the passage of more than four years since the most recent VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in April 2007 due to unverified in-service stressors. The claim has been reopened and the Veteran is now granted service connection for MDD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service.,An acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) are remanded for further development.,Hypertension is remanded for further development.,Left and right wrist disabilities are remanded for further development.,,

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is being remanded for further evaluation as the last VA examination was over four years ago.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral cataracts, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder) due to inadequate opinions in the March 2012 VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective October 13, 2017. The claims for service connection of other disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine prior to April 12, 2016 was denied. The appeal is REMANDED as there are issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial evaluation of his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine from April 12, 2016 is also REMANDED due to issues with service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for GERD was denied as there is no current evidence of a digestive disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, hearing loss, lumbar disc disease, scar, low back, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD. The issues of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for TBI and the propriety of reducing the disability rating for PTSD from 50% to 30% are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD prior to May 5, 2016, and a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and mood disorder are found to be at least as likely as not related to his service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which the Board finds insufficient to warrant a higher rating. The evidence does not support an increased rating as his symptoms have been characterized as mild or transient.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors related to PTSD. The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are diagnosed, and a new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are service-connected.

The Board has previously remanded the claims for service connection multiple times. The Veteran's claims are being returned to VA for additional development as per previous instructions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus and granted it. The issue of an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder is remanded, as well as the issue of total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders. The VA examiner found that there is not enough evidence to link these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to February 25, 2016 and denied for a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter. The Board found the Veteran experienced occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection due to incomplete records, need for additional examinations, and need to verify stressors. The issues of TDIU are also inextricably intertwined with these other claims.