PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD contributed substantially to his death, and grants the claim.

The Board has granted a total rating of 100 percent for the Veteran's PTSD with adjustment disorder, effective May 16, 2016. The Veteran also received an initial compensable rating for his bilateral flat feet and was awarded SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(i)(1).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of unit records and payroll records, which may contain information about the Veteran's service in Lebanon. The Veteran is requested to provide any additional evidence or argument.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Atrial Fibrillation have rendered him unemployable, as his disabilities prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximated that of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity for the period prior to June 18, 2014. For the period beginning June 18, 2014, the disability picture more closely approximated deficiencies in most areas.

The Board found that the appellant did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, or peripheral neuropathy due to service connection. The stressors claimed by the appellant were determined to be the result of willful misconduct and thus do not qualify as in-service stressors for PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and that this condition is related to his military service, including witnessing SCUD missile attacks while deployed in the Persian Gulf.

The Board found that there is no competent and credible evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, thus he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD based on verified in-service stressor. As such, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 22, 2010. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU effective from the same date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his right knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral shin splints has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to their decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues, including the rating for anxiety disorder and service connection for panic disorder, sleeping disorder, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and in-patient treatment records from the Veteran's hospitalizations. The appeal will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after service separation. The VA opinions provided were against a nexus between current disabilities and active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to MST. The evidence submitted since the last denial is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Service connection for PTSD is granted.