PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted, and the Board finds that his current mental health symptoms are related to in-service stressors. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and diabetes mellitus were not found to warrant higher initial ratings. The right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathies, however, met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating of PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and need for further examination. Specifically, the Veteran's service personnel records are needed, as well as private treatment records from Sentara Norfolk General Hospital regarding his back surgery. The psychiatric case also requires a new VA examination to determine if PTSD is related to in-service stressors or other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and posttraumatic stress disorder did not render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment prior to July 3, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also granted increased ratings for PTSD, but the request for TDIU prior to March 14, 2016 remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for PTSD, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death. The appeal is remanded for a medical opinion regarding whether any service-connected condition contributed to the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to provide additional evidence and respond to a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

From January 27, 2003 to January 19, 2004, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent.,From January 20, 2004 to October 11, 2005, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumber spine disorder and PTSD are being reviewed.

The Veteran's benign cyclic leukopenia, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability (including sciatic condition), and acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD) are all found to be related to service. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board finds that a 70 percent disability rating is warranted for PTSD throughout the initial rating period.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to warrant a 70 percent disability rating from April 22, 2010, to September 6, 2016. The left knee strain issue was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected collapsing pes planovalgus deformity and an evaluation for any acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the rating issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and potential changes in the Veteran's status.