PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claimed conditions of PTSD, Depressive Disorder, Agoraphobia, and Personality Disorder are denied as there is no competent medical evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD. However, the Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS, is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD due to military sexual trauma is denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that her current diagnosis of PTSD is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been evaluated at a 50 percent rating, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant more than moderate impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including a VA examination to assess employment limitations.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for traumatic brain injury was dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims of PTSD, OCD, and anxiety disorder as well as an increased rating for generalized tinea infection.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% from November 2, 2007 to September 26, 2012. The rating is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible level (100%) due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine osteoarthritis, bilateral pes planus, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU and a higher rating for PTSD have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depression. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and for PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The claim for coronary artery disease and hypertension was denied as there is insufficient evidence to associate these conditions with service.

The Veteran's T-cell leukemia is granted service connection due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, and the PTSD rating is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The issues are whether PTSD is related to service, whether other diagnosed disorders are related to service, and whether any are caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (torticollis) was previously denied in July 1971, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is not warranted as it does not constitute a recognized disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records related to the Veteran's decertification from the Navy's Personnel Reliability Program (PRP), which is necessary for determining the cause of his claimed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from February 8, 2011 through June 17, 2014; 50 percent from June 18, 2014 to August 21, 2017; and 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during any of these periods.,The Veteran was granted TDIU effective July 4, 2012 up until June 18, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for keloid scars of chest was denied. An initial 100 percent disability rating is granted for PTSD, effective July 2, 2010. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is dismissed as the Veteran's PTSD alone meets the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire initial rating period prior to December 20, 2016. A TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted from August 4, 2016 to December 19, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depressive disorder) due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be further developed by obtaining additional information about in-service stressors and providing a VA examination.