PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's request for an effective date prior to June 27, 1996 for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder is dismissed as his appeal became final due to non-appeal of a previous decision.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bronchial asthma, COPD, and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence. The exposure basis is presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment on and after March 4, 2009. The Board granted a 100% disability rating for PTSD as accrued benefits.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his acquired psychiatric condition, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, thoracic/lumbar spine disability, shoulder and knee disabilities, pes planus, eye disabilities, migraine headaches, acid reflux, pseudofolliculitis (PFB), hemorrhoids, pulmonary conditions, including COPD, and Meniere’s disease. The Board has remanded these issues for further action.

The Veteran's hypertension and PTSD are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted. His lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from December 7, 2015. Separate ratings of 10 percent are assigned for right lower extremity radiculopathy from December 7, 2015 to April 28, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter. A separate rating of 20 percent is assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy as of April 28, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol and prescription medication use disorder is rated at 70 percent throughout the appeal period, effective from May 21, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the appeal period began, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the appeal period began, and she is now receiving TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is not established. The VA examiner noted conflicting evidence regarding this condition.,Service connection for bilateral fungus in the external ears is not established due to lack of a current diagnosis.,Service connection for nosebleeds is not established as no etiological opinion was provided by any VA examiner.,Service connection for asthma is not established. The Veteran's service records suggest LEEP was related to cervical dysplasia, but HPV status is unclear.,Service connection for renal cyst, left side is not established due to lack of a current diagnosis and the possibility that urinary frequency issues may be unrelated to the cyst.,Service connection for status post cervix loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is pending as it requires clarification regarding HPV status.,The Veteran's right knee tendonitis and osteoarthritis are currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 8, 2015, and in excess of 30 percent since then. The VA examination did not comply with the requirements for a remand.,The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 0 percent (non-compensable). The VA examination did not comply with the requirements for a remand.,The Veteran's left shoulder scars are currently rated as non-compensable. A new VA examination is needed to determine the number and nature of her shoulder scars and their associated symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that it is due at least in part to an in-service personal assault and granting the benefit of doubt.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. His prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 60 percent, which is the highest schedular rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 7527. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU as his combined disability rating (prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction) is only 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and private medical records. The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a pilonidal cystectomy with scarring need to be evaluated again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as well as his bilateral knee and ankle conditions. The issues include determining whether his current psychiatric conditions are related to his in-service stressor and whether they are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), PTSD, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) is based on secondary service connection to a service-connected condition. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran. Tinnitus has not been linked to service.

The Veteran's hypertension and cardiomyopathy are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD.,PTSD is granted with a 100 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The issues of increased ratings for bilateral temporomandibular degenerative joint disease and posttraumatic stress disorder with anxiety and panic disorders and agoraphobia are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD disability rating is being remanded for further examination and consideration of additional VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary asbestosis, but the issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending and needs to be remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, vitiligo, thyroid disability, lateral instability of the right knee, and a right knee lateral meniscus tear with chronic sprain and early degenerative changes. The claim for increased ratings for these conditions was also dismissed. The Board remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.