PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol and cocaine dependence is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran's in-service symptoms are considered to be the onset of his current diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's tinnitus based on his credible testimony of in-service noise exposure, despite not meeting VA criteria for a hearing loss disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, and he is granted a TDIU effective from August 25, 2011. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and an increased rating for PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The claim for PTSD has been reopened, but further evidence is needed to establish its etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a change in diagnostic criteria and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's loss of a right testicle is granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a skin disability, increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, and increased rating for PTSD due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is rated at 20% prior to February 5, 2015 and at 40% thereafter. The appeal for increased ratings remains pending.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is remanded.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression) and peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic and femoral nerves in both lower extremities. The effective dates are November 13, 2008, and September 24, 2010 respectively.

The Veteran's left foot disorder, cervical spine DDD and spondylosis, and psychiatric disorders (depression and PTSD) are all remanded for further review. The cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to May 9, 2017, and the rating remains at 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The Veteran also does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and alcohol abuse), and Hepatitis C due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in multiple conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with thoracolumbar spondylosis and scoliosis, left knee chondromalacia with subluxation, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of recent SSA records that could provide additional information about his disability status.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for posttraumatic stress disorder is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for PTSD is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.