PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD has worsened, and he is requesting an increased disability evaluation. The Board notes that a VA examination was conducted in April 2014 but the Veteran reported having increased symptomatology related to his PTSD since then. An additional VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased rating for retinopathy are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and verification of claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is denied. The Board also granted TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions. The VA will schedule examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired mental disorder, including PTSD and major depression, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 17, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, as there was no clear evidence of a link between the current symptoms and any in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and PTSD. The preponderance of the evidence does not establish a link between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee strain, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, due to service-connected lumbar strain, cervical strain, and posttraumatic tension-type headache and cervicogenic pain. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, and PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings in any of these cases.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 60 percent rating. However, he is granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed. A 70 percent disability rating for PTSD is granted effective from August 24, 2007.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the March 2014 VA psychiatric examination and associated March 2015 addendum opinion may be inadequate due to conflicting medical evidence. The Veteran's care from Dr. Lenz is being investigated for potential association with VA’s Veterans Choice Program (VCP).

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD disability rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need for a psychiatric examination.