PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, during the Veteran's lifetime and finds that dementia was not related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The claims for migraine headaches, head injury, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The claim of PTSD was recharacterized as an acquired psychiatric disability but remains denied.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for low back condition as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The TDIU claim was denied because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for low back condition as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The TDIU claim was denied because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and migraine headaches, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent prior to January 31, 2017. From January 31, 2017, the rating increased to 100 percent due to intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychosis, PTSD, and erectile dysfunction is remanded due to incomplete information regarding in-service stressors and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee instability, right shoulder mild degenerative joint disease, and left shoulder degenerative changes have been remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to his lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, headaches, and TDIU. The Veteran is also requested to provide updated VA treatment records and employment information.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination, new evidence received after the 2013 VA examination, and need for verification of stressors. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's anxiety and other diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to his service.

The Veteran's claim of increased rating for depressive disorder with psychotic features and PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is granted. The claim for PTSD is also granted. The issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened on March 19, 2012. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set to March 19, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted, with a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to September 16, 2016, and an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from September 16, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also remanded cases regarding initial ratings for right knee DJD and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective June 30, 2016. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the severity of his PTSD prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to additional VA medical records being added to the file.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also granted a grant of Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to his PTSD.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for PTSD is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated treatment records from Indiana VA facilities, scheduling a PTSD examination, and obtaining an addendum opinion on sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcohol abuse associated with his service-connected PTSD caused cirrhosis of his liver, which in turn caused his liver cancer and ultimately led to his death. Therefore, service connection for cause of death is granted.