PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of February 2, 2017. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU from this date onwards.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, migraine headaches, and PTSD as they are not fully developed. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities and additional records will be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to April 6, 2016. Therefore, the effective date for his TDIU rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is currently rated noncompensable, but a compensable rating is not warranted as the condition is controlled by medication.,The Veteran's right thigh abscess is currently rated 10 percent and no higher. The evidence does not support an increased rating due to lack of severe pain or involvement of multiple scars.,DMII has been rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no indication of regulation of activities.,Diabetic nephropathy has been rated at 30 percent and no higher. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of definite decrease in kidney function or hypertension with diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated 20 percent, but no higher. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as symptoms do not approximate at least moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated 20 percent, but no higher. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as symptoms do not approximate at least moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity with femoral nerve involvement is currently rated 20 percent, but no higher. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as symptoms do not approximate at least severe incomplete paralysis.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity with femoral nerve involvement is currently rated 20 percent, but no higher. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as symptoms do not approximate at least severe incomplete paralysis.,Parkinson's disease with tremor, muscle rigidity and stiffness of the right upper extremity and diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been rated 40 percent, but no higher. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of moderate incomplete paralysis in a major extremity.,Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated 20 percent, but no higher. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as symptoms do not approximate at least moderate incomplete paralysis.,Loss of automatic movements has been rated 10 percent, but no higher. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of more than incomplete moderate paralysis.,Loss of smell due to Parkinson's disease is currently rated noncompensable as there is no indication of complete loss of smell.,Speech changes have been rated 10 percent, but no higher. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as symptoms do not approximate severe paralysis.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete VA examination and the need for additional records, particularly from American Lake VAMC.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and prostate cancer is denied. The Veteran also has a grant of service connection for intestinal residuals of colon cancer post-colectomy (prior to December 26, 2017), but not after that date. There was no compensable rating assigned for the basal cell carcinoma excision scar.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep impairment (claimed as sleep apnea) has been granted, and the appeal is dismissed because it was rendered moot by the grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and adjustment disorder) due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA and private treatment records. The issue of service connection for vertigo has been resolved as a full award was granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right wrist disorder, back disorder, neck disorder, left knee strain, and right knee disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Veteran reported an onset during active duty and the VA examiner opined that excessive noise exposure may have been a precursor to tinnitus at that time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his incarceration, requiring VA to secure updated medical records and arrange for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any disabilities claimed.

The Veteran's initial rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD is also denied, as his symptoms do not warrant a higher than 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and comprehensive medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including a right knee cap disability, left big toe fracture, bullet fragments in the buttocks, left eye disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, allergies, heart disability, partial removal of sphincter muscle, sterility, and PTSD as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD and anxiety is remanded due to uncertainty regarding the current diagnosis of PTSD. A VA examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed condition is related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service. The case will be reviewed with a new VA examination and additional medical opinions.

The Board found that the appellant was insane at the time of his misconduct, thus not finding a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and substance use disorder due to conflicting diagnoses, lack of clarity in the Veteran's history, and need for further examination.