PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, PTSD, and sleep apnea are all service-connected. The decision is based on credible medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a current psychiatric disability causally related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's PTSD, since October 9, 2013, is rated at 50 percent disabling. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at a 70 percent disability rating since September 20, 2007, reflecting significant impairment in most areas of functioning.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 16, 2009 for the service connection awards of PTSD with anxiety and depression, headaches, and TBI. The Veteran's claims are denied for earlier effective dates.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) has ordered a remand due to unclear reasoning in the previous decision and issues regarding aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and MDD, is denied as there is no verified in-service stressor related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. The evidence now shows that his current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The case is also remanded to schedule a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Board has remanded both claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting a VA examination, and providing an opinion on the relationship between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for reopening his PTSD service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, despite additional VA records indicating a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for PTSD is remanded due to the possibility of a worsening of his symptoms, and he needs another VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for right and left ankle disabilities, right and left knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the November 2016 letter from Dr. T.R.F.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he is capable of performing sedentary work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, which is related to his in-service combat stressors. As such, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, rib/breast bone disorder, and chronic headaches secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar degenerative arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and a mood disorder. The Veteran's back pain is believed to have occurred due to a personal assault during service, which may have aggravated his existing condition. The VA needs to obtain relevant medical records from San Diego NMC for both claims.

The Veteran's PTSD, left wrist disability, and CFS have been granted service connection. The case has also been remanded for further examination regarding the Veteran's CFS.