PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea as secondary to a psychiatric disorder. The remanded issues include obtaining updated medical records, including those from 1991, and obtaining a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding whether any current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for a VA examination. The Veteran's service records, including those related to race riots in Stuttgart, Germany, must be obtained. Additionally, his VA treatment records from 1982 onwards should be associated with the electronic claims file.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's in-service stressors are valid and that there is a link between his diagnosed PTSD and these stressors.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased ratings for various arthritis disabilities. The Veteran's service records show a diagnosis of anxiety reaction in 1990, but the VA opinion is based on inaccurate facts. Additional examinations are needed to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right foot conditions, deviated nasal septum and chronic sinusitis, acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD), and service connection for a right wrist disability due to incomplete medical records and need for additional opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, diabetes mellitus type 2, kidney condition, cardiomyopathy, and hypertension have all been denied.,There is no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors underlying the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is denied, but his claim for Depressive Disorder is granted.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection and a 50 percent disability rating are granted for tinnitus and PTSD, respectively.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from May 1, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities since May 1, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to a possible claim of PTSD related to military sexual trauma, and the need for proper VCAA notice regarding this issue.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, are related to his in-service personal assaults. The case will be returned for additional development.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer are rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to November 25, 2016. The rating for PTSD was increased to 70 percent from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective from November 1, 2013. The Board granted an increased rating for PTSD and also granted TDIU beginning on that date.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from November 19, 2011 to May 20, 2015 has been dismissed as the Veteran did not file a valid notice of disagreement or motion for reconsideration with respect to the May 4, 2017 Board decision.

The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus are being remanded for further evaluation to determine their impact on his employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to combat stressors experienced during his time in Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD as due to MST. The case is remanded for a VA examination and further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for PTSD due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion. The case will be returned to VA so they can obtain one.