PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 30 percent prior to December 13, 2017 and later increased to 50 percent effective December 13, 2017. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of these assigned levels.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcers and an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD. The Veteran's claims for PAD/PVD, skin cancer on the face, sarcomas condition on the back, and GERD secondary to PTSD are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connected healed right ankle fracture and PTSD were both granted increased ratings. The right ankle fracture was granted a 10% rating, while the PTSD was granted a 50% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hepatitis C has been withdrawn. The Veteran's facial tics have been granted a 10 percent disability rating, but the issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending and must be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. Bilateral hearing loss is considered direct service connection due to in-service noise exposure. Tinnitus was also found to be related to in-service noise exposure. For PTSD, the Veteran's current diagnosis of anxiety disorder is linked to his military experience.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The VA examiner’s opinion is inadequate as it does not consider all relevant evidence in the record.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of verified in-service stressors. Service connection for Meniere's disease with vomiting and dizziness is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his tinnitus is related to service.,The Veteran's chronic renal condition, characterized as chronic kidney disease stage three with left kidney stone, is remanded due to lack of an examination. The examiner must determine if it is at least as likely as not that the condition is attributable to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder) is remanded for a VA mental health examination. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's current mental health issues are related to his in-service experiences with his infant daughter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence. The issue of service connection for depression and psychiatric residuals of TBI is remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder, low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), right knee disorder, skin cancer, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and gastritis are all granted service connection. The rating for the right ankle fracture residuals is 20%.

The Board has determined that a VA medical opinion is necessary to determine if the Veteran's death was related to service. The appellant provided lay statements and testimony regarding her husband's condition, but no autopsy report or other relevant medical records have been obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and it will be reviewed again with consideration of this additional information.

The claim has been reopened and granted, but the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) is remanded due to outstanding records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD from June 25, 2007 was denied. The Board also granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from the same date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and for TDIU due to ongoing treatment records being needed. The Veteran is also seeking a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to a service-connected disability, and his service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to cause death. The appeal for higher rate of payment of NSC death pension benefits is remanded.

The Veteran's eye disability claim is denied as there is no diagnosed condition related to service.,The Veteran's back, feet, and face skin conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded for a medical opinion on its etiology.,The Veteran's cellulitis of the left thigh claim is remanded for clarification of whether it constitutes a current disability or if it is only pain.,The Veteran's thyroid disorder claim is remanded to determine when the condition manifested and whether service aggravated it.,The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for further medical opinion on its etiology.