PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. However, a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current mental health disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was dismissed. The case is remanded for further action on the claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand due to surgical treatment at the Washington, D.C., VA Medical Center (VAMC) on April 20, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claim for lumbago claimed as lower back condition and arthritis due to a lack of supporting evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to April 21, 2011 and 70 percent from that date until July 15, 2012. The appeal for prostate cancer and skin cancer remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability and an initial rating of 70 percent for his PTSD, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these determinations.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for a 70% rating for PTSD and TDIU, but the Board found that entitlement to these ratings arose on August 13, 2015.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder is denied, and the claim of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for PTSD, but no rating assigned as it is a direct service connection case.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, missing documents, and potential new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms, including PTSD, are related to his service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of all evidence since the last decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, needs further investigation and evidence collection before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, epididymitis, and PTSD due to the passage of time since their last examinations and the Veteran's reported worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% from June 14, 2007 to October 5, 2017. A TDIU is granted beginning January 1, 2008.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, acid reflux, and erectile dysfunction were not found to have begun during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) was also not found to have begun during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to September 9, 2010 and increased to 70 percent thereafter.,A TDIU is granted from January 20, 2010.

The claim for service connection of PTSD is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the in-service stressor needs to be verified as the Veteran served during a period involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the criteria for TDIU have been met since November 20, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since December 27, 2012. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral hip disability and TDIU.