PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of low back disability and bilateral hip disability. The appeal for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted based on the presumption of service connection due to exposure to loud noise during service. The claim for PTSD remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has found the Veteran's current diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and imbalance and dizziness. The Board also finds that an in-service stressor occurred during service. However, the VA examiner did not find a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran’s military service. Therefore, the case is remanded for further examination to address the Veteran's complete medical history and determine if his current psychiatric and balance disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has found the Veteran's current diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and imbalance and dizziness. The Board also finds that an in-service stressor occurred during service. However, the VA examiner could not provide a nexus opinion due to lack of confirmation of the events and stressors reported by the Veteran. The Board has ordered remand for further examination and opinions on the issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The left and right knee disabilities are denied as not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

A rating of 70 percent for PTSD from June 27, 2008 to December 7, 2015 is granted.,A rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD since December 8, 2015 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for a higher PTSD rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for alcohol and drug dependency, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, lower back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened due to new evidence received since previous denials. However, the Board finds that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service treatment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 70 percent since December 23, 2015. The decision also addressed the TDIU claim.

The Board has decided the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or depression. The case is being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations provided.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The effective date of service connection for PTSD remains July 19, 1999.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his right shoulder scars, bilateral toe scars, or resection of metatarsal heads. His hearing loss was rated appropriately under VA guidelines. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety) was granted as new and material evidence had been received since the last denial in 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since March 12, 2015 and prior to that time was rated at 50 percent. The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS has been rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since March 12, 2015 and prior to that time was rated at 50 percent. The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS has been rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, back disability, neck disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) were denied. The hearing loss claim was granted with a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination for the right knee disorder, and considering the Veteran's claims again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are etiologically related to his active service. The claims for PTSD, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety, and mood disorders have been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI residuals have been rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent since March 26, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has again remanded the claim for additional development due to incomplete examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was present at the time of his initial claim in February 1993, and thus grants an effective date of February 1, 1993, for the grant of service connection.