PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claimed stressors, and thus, service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to March 30, 2017 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation during this period.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral cataracts. The Veteran's current diagnosis of congenital bilateral cataracts is not related to service, nor are his acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disorder, or bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal of the denial of service connection for a low back disability and the initial ratings assigned for PTSD with anxiety and depressive symptoms, status post traumatic brain injury; folliculitis with early component of hidradenitis suppurativa of the axilla and groin; and status post orbital blowout fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further verification of in-service personal assaults and stressors, including a man falling overboard on the USS Monticello. The examiner must provide an opinion regarding whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, had its onset during or is related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for an amputation of the right leg was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claims for PTSD and diabetes resulted in denial.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including consideration of new evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including a compensable disability rating for a scar of the right lower extremity and service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims were also denied for TDIU due to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal involves her claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD due to MST. The Board has determined that a new examination is needed as the previous VA examinations did not adequately address the significance of the Veteran's lay statements regarding her social behavior changes during service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to August 24, 2015, and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The effective date for the TDIU award is set as of August 24, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating, effective July 31, 2009. The Board also granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher (compensable) rating due to worsening of his hearing impairment over the appeal period. For PTSD, service connection was granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. Service connection for prostate cancer was denied as there were no verified instances of herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his testimony at the Board hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a more contemporaneous examination as his last VA examination was over five years ago. The appeal will be reconsidered after the examination.

The Veteran's service connection for TBI and PTSD has been granted, with effective dates set. The Veteran is currently rated at 100 percent for his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his death, which is considered a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD were at least as likely as not incurred in service due to military sexual trauma. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, hepatitis C, and tinea pedis were all granted service connection. The Veteran was awarded a rating of 30 percent for PTSD, 20 percent for hepatitis C, and no compensation for the bilateral feet condition.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate a physical deformity of the penis necessary for a compensable rating under DC 7522.,Service connection has been established for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was linked to his in-service stressors involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.