PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric condition, including PTSD. The claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD, right ear hearing loss, chronic diarrhea, migraines, and vertigo are all granted as service-connected.,However, the rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B and C, an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for postoperative residuals of December 1999 VA lumbar spine surgery due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have preexisted service and not been aggravated by service. For the acquired psychiatric disorder, the Board concluded that there is no evidence of a stressor in service sufficient to cause PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% evaluation for PTSD is granted, effective March 19, 2011. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence supported her claim and applied the benefit of doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for gout was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were both denied as there is no evidence of current disability within one year after discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent rating for the period prior to January 5, 2010.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than anxiety and depression to include PTSD is remanded due to incomplete records and inconsistent statements from the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD claim. The effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus remains May 18, 2012.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorders is remanded. The neck condition rating appeal is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including rhinitis with itchy throat and pharyngitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral glaucoma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is now granted.,The issue of a higher disability rating for psoriasis remains pending as it requires further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his scar left leg, unstable, residuals of puncture wound is denied.,The previously denied claim for service connection for arthritis, left elbow, now claimed as an elbow condition has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, it remains denied.,The previously denied claim for service connection for thyroid disorder, now claimed as thyroid cancer, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. It remains denied.,The previously denied claim for service connection for back disability, to include as secondary to service-connected disability, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. It remains denied.,The previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected disability, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. It remains denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 2014, and the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. The Veteran maintains a full-time job as a truck driver.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 16, 2012, for the award of SMC based on his spouse's need for aid and attendance was denied as there is no evidence showing that his spouse required regular aid and assistance with daily self-care tasks before this date.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to April 1, 2016 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent. After April 1, 2016, his symptoms warranted a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has denied a temporary total rating for major depression with anxiety features and remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 30 percent since December 10, 2013. The Board has now granted a higher rating of 50 percent for the entirety of the appeal period, based on increased impairment in social and occupational functioning.