PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted attorney fees based on past due benefits resulting from the grant of service connection for PTSD in a December 2012 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a higher rating, and the TDIU issue requires a Statement of the Case as it was not addressed in the RO decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to service or his deviated septum, and he needs a VA examination to determine this. The issue of whether PTSD aggravates his sleep apnea is also pending.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder, with depression and anxiety, has been found to warrant a 70 percent evaluation since August 7, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his complete VA treatment records and verifying his in-service stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is related to his service. Service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea are also granted as they are considered direct service-connected based on their relationship to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused total social and occupational impairment throughout the pendency of the appeal, since November 1, 2011. The Board granted a rating of 100 percent for PTSD.

The Board denied reopening of claims for PTSD and residuals of head injury as no new and material evidence was received to support the claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluation of his various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, hypertension, prostate disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, and anxiety disorder NOS.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent evaluation, effective from February 4, 2013. The Veteran also received an initial grant for TDIU prior to February 4, 2014, and denial of TDIU beginning August 14, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ankle disability, left ear hearing loss, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD) due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral flat feet and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder). The issue of effective date earlier than November 1, 2011, for the addition of a dependent child to VA compensation benefits is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor involving a soldier's suicide at Fort Eustis, Virginia. The Board is seeking clarification on whether the Veteran was on active duty or training during this incident.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The evidence now shows that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service in Vietnam, which raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 30% disability evaluation throughout the period of the claim, with no higher rating warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and the earlier effective date for service connection are both pending. The case is being remanded to allow for a statement of the case on these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent for the period from March 26, 2013. The VA examiner found that the Veteran experienced memory loss, disturbances of motivation and mood, impaired speech, impaired judgment, impaired impulse control, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and a traumatic brain injury have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder. For the claim of service connection for a traumatic brain injury, the Board determined that there was insufficient credible evidence to support the Veteran's contention of a head injury during basic training.