PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are not ready for decision due to a lack of certain records. The VA is instructed to obtain any relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records, as well as any private treatment records or lay statements from the Veteran.

The Veteran's annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2014 due to use of a motorized wheelchair (a Permobil Power Wheelchair) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if his wheelchair tends to wear or tear his clothing.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his combat stressors and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by body aches is denied. The Board found no evidence of current disability attributable to active service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include anxiety disorder with primary insomnia, is granted at a 100% rating effective April 1, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected due to the presence of a diagnosed condition based on in-service stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted since the previous denial in September 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to address his claims of service connection for sleep apnea, supraventricular arrhythmia and arterial fibrillation/flutter due to PTSD and herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a seizure disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and panic attacks due to lack of VA treatment records from 1979 to October 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is granted as service connected, with the Board finding it at least as likely as not that he currently has this condition due to his active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and MDD). The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain new examinations and treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, sinusitis, and rhinitis.

The Board has identified potential VA treatment records from the Veteran's service period that have not been associated with his claims file. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with a proposed reduction of his PTSD disability rating, and thus must be deferred until the reduction issue is resolved.

The Board has decided that an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new examination and further assessment.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his PTSD was withdrawn by the Veteran and his representative in a May 2018 statement, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 100% to 70%, but this reduction is void ab initio due to improper procedural steps, and the original 100% rating for PTSD has been restored.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The claims to reopen service connection for diabetes, heart disease, lower extremity neurological disabilities, and acquired psychiatric disability are granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions remain remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection of the listed conditions, thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disability and sleep disorder has been withdrawn.,The request to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been granted, but the issue remains remanded due to lack of evidence linking hypertension to service.

The Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted since February 28, 2017 due to having a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.