PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD has worsened and demonstrates symptoms warranting a higher rating, including impulse control impairment, increased ritualistic behavior, and occasional suicidal ideation. A new examination is needed to fully evaluate his disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The appeal is granted for this rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened, and his initial disability rating for coronary artery disease prior to January 19, 2016 was denied. His initial disability rating for coronary artery disease since January 19, 2016 was granted at a 60 percent level. The Veteran's non-initial disability rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent. TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, back, hip, knee, and foot disabilities, as well as a psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient treatment records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's PTSD is not rated higher than 70 percent.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to the appellant's withdrawal. The issues of a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, TDIU, and the propriety of reducing the rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are all remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent from December 10, 1992 to June 17, 1996. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to PTSD with major depressive disorder is moot as the Veteran has already been granted a 100 percent schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for PTSD, specifically because of the relevance of depositions conducted in his wrongful termination lawsuit against Kirtland Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple myeloma is dismissed.,Service connection for a skin disorder to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents or Camp Lejeune water is denied.,Service connection for chronic prostatitis to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents or Camp Lejeune water is denied.,Service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn by the Veteran, and service connection for a heart disorder to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents and Camp Lejeune water is remanded.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents or Camp Lejeune water is remanded.,Service connection for a heart disorder to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents and Camp Lejeune water is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the thoracolumbar spine disability, and scheduling another psychiatric examination using DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a heart disorder have been reopened. The Board finds that new evidence supports the reopening of these claims, but does not find sufficient evidence to grant service connection for any of them.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and a need for an examination to determine if PTSD is related to personal assault in service. The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder may be related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since March 31, 2010. The Board has determined that a uniform evaluation of 100 percent is warranted for the entire period on appeal due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation regarding his ear disability, liver cysts, and right ureteral calculus.

The Board has dismissed appeals for lack of stamina, obstructive sleep apnea, type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction. Appeals for hypertension (secondary to PTSD), kidney failure, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection and increased ratings, leaving no unresolved questions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, hemangioma of the face, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and PTSD are remanded due to the need for further verification of herbicide exposure in Thailand and Vietnam, as well as additional attempts to corroborate claimed stressors.