PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for residuals of a left wrist injury, lumbar spine disability, and ankle disabilities. The claim for PTSD is also being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have not worsened to warrant a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent prior to July 30, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to evaluate its severity, as the last evaluation was more than five years ago and there are discrepancies in diagnoses.

The appeal for the cervical spine disorder is dismissed. The PTSD and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his low back disability and PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to procedural issues. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities and then readjudicate the cases.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected deformed big toes and PTSD due to evidence indicating worsening.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, erectile dysfunction (ED) to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU). The remand requires obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and ED, as well as a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, but the evidence is inadequate to determine whether she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of her service-connected conditions. The case is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate physician regarding the functional effects of her service-connected disabilities on employment.

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

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD with alcohol dependence is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety and depression. The claims for duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and pneumonic lung scarring are remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest possible effective date is September 16, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining outstanding records and current VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and PTSD. The evidence did not show a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD and whether such diagnosis is related to his military service. The examiner should also provide opinions on the relationship of any other acquired psychiatric disorders to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 28, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 28, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, particularly regarding his hearing loss and potential Vietnam exposure. The appeals are not related to service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain in-service hospital records and a VA addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to reconcile conflicting medical evidence on PTSD diagnosis and determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service.