PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

An effective date of December 14, 1970 is granted for the establishment of service connection for PTSD. The appeal concerning a compensable rating for infectious hepatitis is dismissed. The appeals regarding an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings. A rating of 50 percent was granted prior to July 18, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence received from VA, which may affect the service connection for PTSD and related conditions. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered without requiring new and material evidence.

The case is being remanded for further development due to incomplete evaluation of in-service stressors and missing private psychiatric records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an updated VA examination. The Veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder are rated at 70 percent, but the Board is seeking more information on whether these conditions warrant a higher rating or if they should be considered in conjunction with other disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, has been denied as the evidence of record is insufficient to establish a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied compensation for PTSD due to military sexual trauma under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, finding no evidence of additional disability caused by VA care or examination.,The Board remanded the case for an effective date prior to October 13, 2017 for the award of a 70 percent rating for PTSD due to military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to provide VA treatment records from January 25, 2005 to August 4, 2017. The appeal is being remanded due to this missing information.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to consider whether his condition warrants an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the December 2016 SSOC, and will issue a SSOC for the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to February 17, 2016, and in excess of 50 percent beginning February 17, 2016, for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an initial rating of 70 percent. The cases for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and verification of exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 11, 2016 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. The Board denied entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD in excess of these assigned percentages.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bulging and deteriorating discs in the back, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's assertions of injury during service have been met, and further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed. The appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as an increased rating for PTSD, are being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, PTSD due to military sexual trauma, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim for sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD has been dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn by the appellant and his representative.