PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II is dismissed. The appeals for PTSD and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for separate, compensable ratings for diabetic cataracts, erectile dysfunction, tinea pedis and cruris, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and an increased rating for PTSD. The RO is instructed to first adjudicate the claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus before addressing these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no evidence linking his current psychiatric conditions to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding credible evidence of the Veteran's in-service sexual harassment and assault. Service connection was denied for bipolar disorder due to lack of a link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD, are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, entitlement to a compensable rating for hemorrhoids, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and diabetes mellitus type 2 due to herbicide exposure has been reopened, and service connection is granted. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not establish a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted a temporary 100 percent rating for PTSD from August 22, 2012 to January 15, 2013. The issue of a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain service personnel and treatment records from the Army National Guard, to ensure compliance with VA's notification requirements, and to provide a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to military sexual trauma in service.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to February 21, 2013 was rated at 30 percent and denied a higher rating.,From February 21, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran is entitled to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for pulmonary embolism has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, a generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of status post right knee arthroscopy has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis from April 4, 2017, has been dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for PTSD and recurrent heat prostration/exhaustion due to the need for additional medical evaluations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other two claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective January 19, 2017. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her right and left knee disabilities, PTSD, and hypertension. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but denied service connection for a right shoulder disability. The denial of the right shoulder disability is based on the lack of evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by active service, while the grant of PTSD is supported by medical evidence that links current symptoms to an in-service stressor.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD, but remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 2010, which is the maximum rating available under the criteria for mental disorders. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of his condition, as there has been an intervening period since his last VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the cause of his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran will need to provide more specific details about these events, and a VA examination will be conducted to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service.