PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and anger issues, have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD prior to February 8, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 70 percent disabling, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and another VA examination to determine if his bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service. The issues include seeking service connection for both PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder injury, and left arm injury are related to service. The broken ribs claim will be addressed as a direct service connection case.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder are related to her service. The Board finds that the evidence is in a state of relative equipoise on all material elements of the claim, including the nexus requirement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his mental health conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The Board also granted TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, anxiety, or bipolar disorder and there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, neuropathy of left lower extremity, and neuropathy of right lower extremity. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.,Regarding the acquired psychiatric condition claim (including PTSD and dysthymia), the Veteran's current mental health records do not show any diagnosis or treatment for such conditions, and the VA examiner could not provide an opinion without speculation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been withdrawn.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is denied as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of such disability.,Service connection for right foot condition is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service.,The claim for increased rating for pterygium remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding his claimed psychiatric disorder and skin cancer.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum available rating under the applicable diagnostic code. The evidence does not show that his disability more closely approximates the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, effective from February 22, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional records, particularly from his recent mental health treatment at the VA. The claims for TDIU and NCS pension are also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated Major Depressive Disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, but her right knee disability was not caused or aggravated by her service-connected left knee and bilateral ankle disabilities.,Service connection for the Veteran's right knee strain is denied as it is less likely than not that the condition was caused or aggravated by her service-connected left knee and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were withdrawn by the appellant at her hearing. The claims of entitlement to service connection for lymphoma and skin cancer are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as clarification of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders.