PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any mental health disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD is denied as the evidence does not show total social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his request for an increased evaluation of PTSD and entitlement to TDIU, have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities during the appeal period, and that the Veteran’s PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD. The Court affirmed the evaluations but remanded the TDIU decision, requiring the Board to discuss whether the Veteran was limited to marginal employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and Depression, including a lack of corroborated in-service stressors. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination with a psychiatrist or psychologist to determine if she meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his time in service or to Agent Orange exposure. Service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied as there is no evidence showing that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection for PTSD is granted based on credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, despite conflicting medical opinions regarding current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertriglyceridemia is denied as it does not constitute a disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 26, 2011, for service connection for PTSD and tinnitus are denied due to lack of communication indicating intent to file a claim prior to the date of receipt of his formal claims forms.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is remanded as additional VA examination records are needed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of right tibia fracture and low back disability is remanded due to missing service treatment records and the need for a more detailed etiological opinion.,No effective date prior to April 26, 2011, was granted as no communication indicating intent to file a claim prior to that date was received.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 100 percent combined, and the Board finds that these conditions reasonably preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was restored to a 70% disability rating effective June 1, 2015. The RO reduced the Veteran’s PTSD rating from 70% to 30%, but this reduction was improper and has been restored.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, with the presumption of exposure to noise in the Gulf War.,The Veteran's testicular cancer is presumed due to herbicide agent exposure during service.,PTSD was established based on an in-service stressor, and GERD is considered secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to October 26, 2016, is denied. The claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder beginning on October 26, 2016, is also denied.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was reduced from 100% to 50%, effective October 1, 2015. The reduction is denied as there is no evidence of material improvement in the condition.

The Board has decided that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, should be remanded due to inadequate examination findings and the need for additional stressor development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, right foot pes planus, and left wrist fracture residuals have been granted. An increased rating of 10 percent has also been granted for the right foot pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development, including obtaining relevant federal records and providing adequate opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, now diagnosed as PTSD, was reduced from a 70% rating to a 50% rating in February 2015. The appeal is dismissed because the claim has been resolved in favor of the Veteran with the restoration of the 70% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board has found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. Other service-connected disabilities are also remanded for further evaluation.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection issues remain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the VA examiner found that they were not related to his military service.