PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, stress fractures in the legs and feet, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) due to outstanding evidence and additional development being required.

The Board has remanded two issues: the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease and his PTSD. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to PTSD, and dismissed the claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits as the award of service-connected compensation renders the pension claim moot.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from December 10, 2013 to February 21, 2018. The rating is granted as the symptoms met the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The rating for Anxiety Disorder with Depressive Symptoms remains at 50%. TDIU is remanded due to the potential impact on benefits.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that there is at least a 50/50 balance of evidence in favor of the Veteran's contention that his current PTSD symptoms are related to an in-service stressor involving witnessing a fatal electrocution on board the USS AMERICA.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for prostate cancer residuals from August 1, 2014. The claims for service connection of IHD and DM II are remanded due to lack of recent medical records and need for new VA examinations. The claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU claim is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, a psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), and a left shoulder disability due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD and TDIU, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date prior to February 3, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity and impact on his employment, and for consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for ankylosis and bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn.,Service connection for periodontal disease (for compensation purposes) is denied as it cannot be considered a compensable disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because he is already receiving a 100% disability rating for prostate cancer, which qualifies him for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection were not granted, but some issues were reopened. The low back condition and nerve damage to the left arm remain denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. Service connection for PTSD was reopened based on new evidence, while diabetes mellitus type 2 was denied as there is no record of its onset during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for OSA, TBI, and PTSD have been granted. The rating for PTSD has also been increased to 70 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's in-service sexual assault is now considered a valid stressor, and her current PTSD is found to be related to this event.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, and major depressive disorders were all granted initial ratings. The lumbar condition received a 60% rating, the PTSD and depression conditions prior to May 17, 2004 also received a 60% rating, and the total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability was granted for that period.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD as of April 22, 2002. The effective date is set at this time.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his special monthly compensation and TDIU claims. The case is being remanded to obtain relevant VA treatment records and conduct medical examinations.