PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, lumbar myositis (back condition), degenerative arthritis of the knees, tinnitus, left foot arthritis, right hip and left hip conditions, left ankle and right ankle conditions, a bilateral foot condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder(s), including PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to September 25, 2017, and a 70 percent rating since that date is denied. The Board also found the Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle spasms and pain as well as fatigue are remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and increased rating for PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not caused or aggravated by his active service or service-connected PTSD, and denied both claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA medical records and a need to reconsider whether he served in Vietnam, which could affect his eligibility for Agent Orange exposure presumptions. The claims will be returned to the RO for further review.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted. The appeal regarding PTSD ratings and TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The disability manifests with occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to February 1, 2012, and denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD effective July 14, 2010.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection for a left hip disability, rating of lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, GERD, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, PTSD, and left knee strain.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional medical opinions are needed due to incomplete or speculative findings in previous VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The claim was also denied for a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD of the right hip with limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded for further evaluation due to potential worsening of symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is granted, and the Board finds that his current acquired psychiatric disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression and claimed as secondary to service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the nature of his current psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to service or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding his service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder. The issue of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder is also referred to the AOJ as it may impact the TDIU determination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to April 3, 2012. From that date, the rating remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating for the entire appeal period. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes as due to Agent Orange exposure, hypertension as secondary to diabetes and as due to Agent Orange exposure, and bilateral neuropathy of the feet as due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his conditions.