PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a more contemporaneous examination and consideration of his TDIU claim. The increased rating for PTSD prior to July 3, 2014, remains before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted in April 2012 with an initial 30% evaluation, effective May 18, 2011. The Board determined that the earliest date of entitlement to this benefit is June 22, 2006.

This decision denies the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence of record, as there is no current diagnosis of any right eye disability or hearing loss. For the splenectomy claim, a VA examination is needed to determine if it is related to in-service events. The psychiatric disability (PTSD) claim is also remanded due to its interrelation with the splenectomy claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis and the Veteran's contentions are not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for left ear injury, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residual hemorrhoid surgical scars have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer disability, PTSD, low back disability, and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. Service connection for scalp scar is denied.

The appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for right elbow pain is dismissed. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The claims for bilateral knee disability and sleep disturbance are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), finding that the evidence did not support a finding of causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn them.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor of an aircraft fire and his service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The AOJ must verify this stressor and request additional information from the Veteran’s service personnel records before scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is denied as there is no evidence of both loss of erectile power and penile deformity.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied due to the absence of insulin, restricted diet, or oral hypoglycemic agent requirements.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction prior to October 31, 2005 is not granted as there is no evidence of a claim filed before that date.,Claims for service connection secondary to existing disabilities are remanded and will be considered in the future.,Claims for increased ratings for right knee arthritis and right knee disability are also remanded.,PTSD rating remains at 50 percent, with claims for higher ratings still pending.,TDIU claim is remanded as there are no specific service-connected disabilities listed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral knee arthralgia, and remanded his claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The decision is pending further action.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of a diagnosed anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 21, 2012 for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD is being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records from February 2011 to December 2012.

The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed. The appeal for TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA examination to address whether any acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service. The Veteran's original claim remains pending as he submitted new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board has determined that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability) due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as a direct service connection, while PTSD was granted due to its being incurred during service.