PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted in some cases, but denied on the merits. The decisions are mixed as to whether certain conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is denied. The earliest effective date is August 22, 2011.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and remanded the issues of increased ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and TDIU.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at a 50 percent rating prior to October 14, 2009. The appeal for a higher rating or total disability rating due to unemployability was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) and increased rating for tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of his disabilities due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to seek and provide private medical records related to his PTSD treatment. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to herbicide exposure, and remanded the issues of increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression. The claims for service connection for migraines, arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease), psychosis, and a psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since March 26, 2012. The Board has now granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective from the date of the claim (March 26, 2012), with no higher.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Veteran's current rating for diabetes mellitus is 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for headaches is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not show characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one a month over several months, which would warrant a 30 percent rating. The Veteran’s claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability including PTSD is remanded due to insufficient information and need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder due to new evidence. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and for bilateral hearing loss are remanded as additional medical opinions are needed. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied retroactive VA Chapter 30 educational benefits for the Veteran's on-the-job training program due to the effective date being one year prior to his claim, as per VA regulations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for chronic skin disorder, PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, nerve disability of the ear, heart disability, and abdominal disorder (cyclic vomiting syndrome) were granted. Service connection was established for vitiligo and denied for other conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and a higher rating is denied as the symptoms do not warrant an increase in disability level.

The Board has decided that additional records development is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is related to his military service. The VA will need to obtain treatment records from Massachusetts General Hospital for the period of January 2000 through December 2000.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent. The case is also remanded for further information regarding TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia. The case is remanded for additional development related to the left knee disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since November 30, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for PTSD and grants an increased rating of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus prior to March 28, 2008. TDIU is granted prior to April 27, 2016.