PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disease, PTSD, and depression has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The appeal is granted in part.

All issues are remanded for further development. The Veteran needs to provide records of his right hip treatment around 1981 and SSA records. A VA examination is needed for the right hip, hypertension, and psychiatric disorders.,The Veteran's leg amputation claim requires an addendum opinion from a clinician addressing whether VA negligence caused or foreseeable additional disability.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the neck with retained missile, including as secondary to service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder due to the need for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection of PTSD, but denied the reopening of the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded to obtain VA and private treatment records and schedule a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU prior to December 27, 2011, on an extraschedular basis due to outstanding VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from August 25, 2013.

This decision denies service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for postoperative right knee scar is also denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right hip disability, heart disability (coronary artery disease and residuals of coronary artery bypass), fasciotomy to the outer portion of the right leg, right popliteal intraoperative vascular injury, and right ankle and leg neuropathy.,Service connection is also denied for these conditions. The Board has ordered additional development in order to determine if service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 50% rating prior to May 30, 2014 and denied for ratings higher than 70%. The service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is reopened. TDIU based on PTSD remains remanded.

The Veteran's claim for left knee disability has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to a need for further development.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD was previously denied and reopened. The Board finds that service connection is warranted based on evidence linking current symptoms to in-service stressors.,The right knee disability claim is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the left knee disability claim.,The Veteran’s COPD rating remains at 30 percent, but a new VA examination is needed to determine if an increased rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for various conditions and an initial rating for chronic fatigue syndrome. Additional VA records are needed, and a psychiatric examination is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and grants service connection for this condition. The adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder are found not to be service-connected.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, related to military sexual trauma (MST), is granted. The Board found sufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims and determined that his current mental health disabilities are linked to his in-service MST.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 11, 2012 for service connection of PTSD with depressive disorder and migraine and post-coital headaches associated with TBI. The decision stated that no claim was filed within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected colon condition (benign polyps) is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s), prior to January 18, 2012, and from May 1, 2012, to February 7, 2017, is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 8, 2017, for the award of a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected PTSD has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder), and a low back disability due to lack of evidence showing in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a verified in-service personal assault, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to this stressor.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD and anxiety is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination in determining service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and for a VA examination to assess his current psychiatric conditions.