PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for right knee disability and a diagnosis of PTSD are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder were rated at 70% effective February 15, 2011. The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 21, 2009 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has decided that an additional VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted a 70 percent initial evaluation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) since the inception of the claim, finding that the Veteran's symptoms warrant this rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to August 18, 2013 caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. From August 18, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's PTSD is granted but with a rating of 50%.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for chronic fatigue disorder, kidney disorder, migraine headaches, neurological signs and symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and coronary artery disease (CAD) have been dismissed. The appeal for CAD has been remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and has also granted TDIU. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding the in-service stressor allegations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative changes of the thoracic and lumbar spine has been reopened, and it is granted. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection for bilateral knee, low back, and head injuries due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes have been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal before a final decision was made.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and treatment records. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it may be impacted by the PTSD rating determination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 15, 2017. The appeal for a TDIU was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a skin disorder, presumed due to his Vietnam-era herbicide exposure. The Board also grants service connection for PTSD based on credible testimony of in-service stressors.,For the left knee and hearing loss claims, these are being remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his sarcoidosis, posttraumatic stress disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and service connection for PTSD. The Veteran was not granted any new evaluations or connections.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left sciatic nerve radicular pain, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve radicular pain, a bilateral hip condition, posttraumatic stress disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder), finding that there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, hypertension, urinary condition (secondary to herbicide exposure), low testosterone, and PTSD. The Veteran was not granted any increased ratings for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 5, 2014, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.