PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for orthopedic residuals of a right forearm crush injury with tendinitis was denied. The current rating is 10 percent, and no effective date is provided.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his combined rating of 80% due to service-connected disabilities meets the threshold requirements for a TDIU. Additional development is needed to assess the functional impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and MDD, as well as her secondary service connection claims for fibromyalgia, diabetes mellitus type II, and sleep apnea. The evidence did not establish a nexus to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and headaches, finding that his current conditions are not related to service. The PTSD with bipolar disorder claim is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, an anxiety disorder other than PTSD, a depressive disorder, and a substance-abuse disorder. The evidence submitted since the December 1996 rating decision relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate this claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for updated examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining records of the Veteran's pre-service hospitalization and his military personnel file. The VA will also need to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is service connected and rated at 70%.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, and therefore entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in social and occupational impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 12, 2009, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% for the entire appeal period, and he is granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his PTSD. The rating for scrotal cysts remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder found to be present, as there are insufficient current evidence of record to make a decision on the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate the severity of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and PTSD. The AOJ will also issue a supplemental statement of the case if any benefits sought remain denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be a result of events he experienced in service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including securing updated VA records and arranging a new psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence received since the final denial indicates that the Veteran may meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and this condition is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a conceded in-service personal assault and grants service connection for PTSD.