PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to link the schizoaffective disorder to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for transient global amnesia is denied. The appeal for a higher rating for CAD from July 1, 2011 and the TDIU claim are both denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and diabetes. The examiner will need to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging for a VA psychiatric examination, and considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding his behavior during service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent since January 2, 2018.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent effective January 2, 2018. The Veteran has been denied a higher rating for PTSD before that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since May 20, 2013. The Board has referred the issue of TDIU prior to May 20, 2013 for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for gouty arthritis, chronic kidney disease, visual disability (refractive error), and an initial increased rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection to hypertension as secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as there was no confirmed diagnosis and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a stressor related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development of records from VA and private providers.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are causing him to need assistance with activities of daily living, and he requests a VA examination to determine if he qualifies for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate. The Board has determined that further evaluation is needed due to the passage of over three years since his last VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) and evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD). The ED case requires a VA medical opinion on whether it is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The CAD case requires an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including a need for additional VA treatment records and an updated examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to establish service connection for PTSD and other unspecified psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claims will be further investigated, including seeking corroboration of in-service stressors.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right foot disorder and granted it. The Veteran's PTSD, right shoulder strain, and impingement syndrome are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD. The claim is also granted as the evidence supports a relationship between the veteran's current psychiatric condition and her military service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and scar due to a gunshot wound are remanded as the in-service stressors need to be verified, and an adequate nexus opinion is required. The Veteran's left leg scar also needs to be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to November 16, 2016 and 70 percent since that date. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD has worsened and remands both his increased rating claim for PTSD and his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression, including bipolar disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the service-connected PTSD was a principal or contributory cause of the Veteran's death.