PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a burn injury has been dismissed.,Service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to insufficient evidence linking his reported stressors to his symptoms. The Veteran was stationed in Paris, France during a time of hostilities and has provided credible testimony regarding several traumatic events he experienced.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, cholesterol disorder, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), thyroid disorder, and loss of vision in one eye, all associated with exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service or to any event, injury, or illness during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records from Vet Centers and other providers.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorders, and depression, is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's reported stressor was credible and consistent with his military service, leading to a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder incurred in or related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus partially contributed to his weight gain, which aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Board granted service connection for OSA as secondary to these conditions. However, the Veteran does not have a current seizure disability that is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed. A 100 percent rating for ischemic heart disease is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. The issue of an effective date prior to January 23, 2012 for service connection for ischemic heart disease is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50% and granted a 70% rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has expanded the claim on appeal to one of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses include PTSD, major depressive disorder (r/o bipolar disorder), alcohol use disorder, cocaine use disorder, and opioid use disorder. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining a VA addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was received on September 23, 2008. The Board granted the effective date of September 23, 2008, but no earlier.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, so his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, claimed as PTSD and depression is granted. A rating of 30 percent for GERD with Barrett’s esophagus and hiatal hernia is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The appeal seeking a compensable rating for migraine headaches is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and for TDIU due to the submission of additional evidence since the last decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his combined rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, and tinnitus have been reopened. Service connection is granted for tinnitus but denied for chest problems/blood clot in lungs. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of his right wrist disability and whether it is related to his service-connected conditions. The initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remains denied as there is no evidence showing a compensable level of impairment. The higher staged evaluations for PTSD are also being remanded due to new information that may affect the Veteran's employability.