PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to service and grants service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support higher ratings or service connection.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection and rated at 50 percent disabling effective August 10, 2010. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied as the July 2004 rating decision denying service connection was final.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stress-related disorder was reclassified as PTSD, thereby establishing service connection for PTSD. The appeal is dismissed because the relief sought has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA or private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his right elbow disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded as intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's glaucoma is rated at 60 percent, PTSD at 70 percent, bilateral pes planus at 10 percent, scar of the right posterior occipital area at 10 percent, hypertension at 10 percent, and gout remains noncompensable. The appeal for increased disability evaluations has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to November 13, 2014 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The rating assigned is the maximum available under the General Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's claim was reopened and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is granted. The case is remanded to obtain additional records and provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his reported stressors and obtain private treatment records. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations, and thus could not establish entitlement to service connection.

The VA has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The appellant's PTSD is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and finds that a current diagnosis of PTSD is established, and there is sufficient evidence to link it to his military service.

The Veteran's statements and testimony do not establish that he engaged in combat with the enemy, nor did his service records corroborate any such exposure. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection as PTSD or a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, fatigue, and headaches have been denied as new and material evidence has not been presented.,Service connection for a skin disorder and GERD is not granted due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits can be made regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence, including VA treatment records from specific facilities, as well as complete and return a hepatitis C risk factor questionnaire. A new VA examination for PTSD will also be scheduled.

The Board has expanded the issue to include an acquired psychiatric disability, however diagnosed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.