PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and a skin disability. The Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressors, while his skin disability is considered to have started during his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor. The claim for increased rating of bilateral pes planus was remanded and requires further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as sleep impairment, depression, anxiety, increased anger, irritability, hypervigilance, disturbance of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 20, 2015.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, was found to not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the period from August 12, 2013. The evidence showed that his symptoms were consistent with a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and mental disorder, currently rated at 30 percent from April 3, 2013, and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and adjudicating a secondary service connection claim for obesity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Board finds that there is not sufficient evidence to establish the presence of a current left knee disability during the appeal period. However, the Veteran's liver disease is found to be at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, service connection for alcoholic liver disease secondary to service-connected PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD, or if not directly related, aggravated by his other service-connected conditions including diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to verify his claimed stressors and obtain any outstanding medical records. The case will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for throat cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, skin cancer, and an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD) have been granted. The decision also addressed the reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 16, 2012, for service connection of PTSD was remanded due to the possibility that additional service department or personnel records related to his award of the Combat Medical Badge may have been used in determining his eligibility.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability and whether service connection is warranted. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board also granted a TDIU effective July 3, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee disability status post total knee replacement are all service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, make it impossible for him to obtain or maintain gainful employment consistent with his educational background and work history. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from November 29, 2012.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, to include anxiety and depressive disorder due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Board also granted service connection for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, originally claimed as PTSD, is not related to or caused by any event in service.,The right ankle disability was also determined to be unrelated to events in service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to missing VA treatment records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran is currently assigned a 70 percent rating for his service connected acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, bipolar disorder type 2 and major depression. He also has a 10 percent rating for narcolepsy without cataplexy.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and foot disorder have been reopened, but further development is needed to address the merits of these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) remains pending.