PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and addendum opinion.,The Veteran's claim for Parkinson's disease is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of private treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for COPD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for extreme joint pain is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for skin disorder, to include malignant melanomas, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of private treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for rectal impact surgery as secondary to service-connected organic aphonia is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an examination.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding hypertension, PTSD, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. Specifically, a VA examination is required to assess whether the Veteran’s hypertension is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records, a VA examination, and further analysis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for Hepatitis A and PTSD, so these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hypertension and PTSD, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is rated at 60 percent prior to May 3, 2016 and denied for increased ratings thereafter. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 30 percent rating. His residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right shoulder are not rated higher than 40 percent on an extraschedular basis.,The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to its inextricability with other pending appeals, and will readjudicate whether the appellant is eligible for CHAMPVA benefits after resolving those issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's PTSD, as his representative contends that there is evidence indicating an increase in severity since the last VA examination. The other issues remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder (mild to moderate depressive disorder and PTSD) is rated at 70 percent, effective from May 20, 2005. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted starting from May 18, 2011.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective April 10, 2012. The rating was granted based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a compensable evaluation for residuals of dislocation PIP joint right little finger. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, PTSD, cardiovascular issues, and pulmonary embolism, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service connected. The issues of PTSD based on military sexual trauma, an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety, depression, nervousness, and sleep disturbances, and migraines or tension headaches as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board has found that he does not meet criteria for a higher rating. The case is remanded to consider entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded due to new evidence suggesting current diagnoses. The claim for PTSD is also remanded as there may be a connection between his sleep issues and service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal and he was granted TDIU. The Veteran has been unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and organic affective syndrome with symptoms of PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim. The Veteran was last examined in June 2014, and there are indications that his disability picture may have changed since then.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to extend his delimiting date for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits due to lack of evidence showing that his PTSD prevented him from initiating or completing his chosen educational program.