PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran currently has PTSD. A VA examination is needed to clarify this issue and determine if any current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD or unspecified depressive disorder, was caused by service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder warrants a rating in excess of 50 percent and his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, and skin disability due to potential issues with medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's service connection claim is based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability to include generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD is reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability to include generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD is granted. Service connection for other conditions such as cervical spine, lumbar spine, right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, and benign prostate hyperplasia are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, and it is linked by medical evidence to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate those required for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records. The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, left ankle strain, myocardial infarction (coronary artery disease), PTSD, and left knee arthoplasty are all under review.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed to his alcohol dependence, which in turn caused his death from liver failure and alcoholic liver disease. As a result, the Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it warrants a disability rating of 50 percent throughout the appeal period. The case is remanded for additional development to determine if an increased rating in excess of 50 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder were rated at 30 percent prior to February 3, 2010. From February 3, 2010, to July 27, 2010, the rating was increased to 70 percent. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating from July 28, 2010 onward.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for GERD and a lumbar spine disability are dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for TDIU beginning November 5, 2010 is granted.

Service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury is granted.,Initial 30 percent disability ratings are granted for residuals of status-post left and right tarsal tunnel release with plantar fasciitis and pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's diagnoses are supported by medical evidence, his statements, and the confirmed in-service stressors and exposure.

The claims of service connection for IBS and stomach ulcer are dismissed. The claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted, but the rating assigned remains to be determined. The claims of service connection for left hip disorder, left knee disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder, sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding his anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to decide the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the lack of recent treatment records and the need for a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding low back disability and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service. Service connection for low back disability and PTSD are remanded due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD and migraine/tension headaches have been granted a rating of 50% for the entire appeal period, with no higher. The PTSD is rated based on occupational and social impairment due to reduced reliability and productivity, while the migraines are rated as having characteristic prostrating attacks occurring approximately once a month.