PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective April 18, 2016. The Board has found that the current rating does not reflect total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing VA treatment records from 2004 to present. The Veteran's complete VA treatment records should be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as it is unclear whether this condition is related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran needs to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression and/or PTSD, but denied service connection for colon cancer. The effective date of the nonservice-connected pension award is set at March 26, 2010.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a degenerative bones disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been dismissed.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, and back disability.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for pes planus and increased disability ratings for other conditions. The Veteran's claims are pending further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, are being reviewed due to lack of VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period, as his other conditions do not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening his previously denied claims. The Board found that he failed to appear for VA examinations on two separate occasions without good cause.

The Board has reopened the claims for left shoulder/arm pain, liver mass, right ear hearing loss disability, back disability, shin splints, right knee disability, sleep apnea, GERD, and PTSD. However, service connection is not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating since July 21, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying whether the Veteran has filed a claim for Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD with polysubstance abuse and TDIU are also being considered.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back condition has been reopened, and the Board finds new and material evidence. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and schedule an examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent for the entire appeal period, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's back disability and endometriosis are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, breathing disability, memory loss disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) remain on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but the claim for a higher rating has been denied due to lack of valid audiometric results.,Prior to December 22, 2017, the Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).,Since December 22, 2017, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating has been denied.