PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and PTSD. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for skin rashes and sciatica are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent evaluation, effective prior to January 21, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination, particularly regarding PTSD treatment records from a Vet Center and VA outpatient clinics. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to October 26, 2016. The evidence shows moderate social and occupational impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, left hand arthritis, and bilateral shoulder disability. The evidence did not meet the criteria for establishing service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are etiologically related to an in-service assault. The claims of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder (including Sleep Apnea) and right ankle disorder remain pending.

Service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the upper left and right extremities is restored, with an effective date from June 4, 2013.,The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for depressive disorder NOS (including PTSD) is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has found that he is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his disability. The case is remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and whether any overlapping symptoms are attributable to Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a more recent examination.

The Veteran's claim for increases in the staged ratings of his low back disorder and TDIU prior to June 7, 2016 is denied. The service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) secondary to his low back disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was remanded due to the addition of new medical evidence since the last decision. The AOJ needs to review this new evidence and decide on the service connection for PTSD.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for hip spurs, spinal bone spurs, and heart condition. The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) was denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a valid diagnosis, as all diagnoses were not made in accordance with DSM-IV.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance or housebound status is not due to his service-connected PTSD, but rather to his non-service connected conditions including Parkinson's disease, strokes, and dementia/cognitive impairment. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that PTSD alone renders him in need of such assistance.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted as service connected due to in-service traumatic events.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as he did not serve in combat and has no credible verified stressor. The claim for secondary service connection for major depressive disorder with psychotic features is granted due to aggravation by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records from Dr. K.U. and to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, due to military sexual trauma, has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's bladder disability and stomach disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD with history of depression and mild alcohol use disorder is rated at a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.