PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in service and is not caused by a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence of an in-service incident or connection to service, and the medical opinions did not support a link between PTSD and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD, and remands the case for this purpose. The Veteran also requested an increase in his PTSD rating, but as no recent examination was conducted, a new one is required.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (claimed as skin sensitivity) and remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a right wrist laceration, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability and right shoulder disability. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) on a secondary basis to diabetes, which is the Veteran's service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to December 27, 2016 is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an initial rating greater than 30 percent prior to this date. However, beginning December 27, 2016, a 70 percent rating is granted for PTSD. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded, while other issues are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the nature of the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder and inadequate verification of stressor events in service. The Veteran needs to provide more details about his alleged stressors, and a new examination is required to determine if he has PTSD related to a verified event in service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD and remands for further examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unemployable from July 28, 2010, forward.

The Veteran's TBI claim is being remanded for a new VA examination, as initial TBI examinations were not conducted by the required specialists. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression, is granted as service connected due to exposure to combat-related stressors during Survival Training in November 1964.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) was denied in October 2008 due to lack of evidence linking ADD to his military service. The Board has now remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a chronic breathing disorder, and a mandibular fracture.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since April 30, 2010. The Board found that the evidence does not indicate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity during this period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms were consistent with a 60 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.,Service connection has been granted for a spine disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss is denied as the condition has already been granted.,The Veteran's PTSD claim resulted in a grant of an initial disability rating of 70% but no higher, effective February 19, 2013.,The Veteran's unspecified joint condition claim is remanded due to lack of proper medical examination and evidence.,Fatigue (claimed as chronic fatigue syndrome) and thyroid condition are related; the Veteran's fatigue is remanded for a VA examination.,Headaches are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and work experience.