PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling new examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vitamin D deficiency is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and has resulted in distinct symptoms from those of his service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome. Therefore, the claim for service connection for vitamin D deficiency as secondary to PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating higher than 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional evidence from Social Security Administration (SSA) and VA medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an effective date prior to March 14, 2003, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting mild-to-moderate social impairment and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for the initial ratings requested for PTSD, GERD, acne vulgaris, and DJD of the left knee. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective prior to September 29, 2015. He also has a TDIU with an effective date of September 29, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so severe that they preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying a stressor event and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, is pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of residuals of head trauma, including TBI or a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal on the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, increased rating for residuals of wound of the left thigh with fracture of the femur and injury to Muscle Group (MG) XIV, increased rating for PTSD, and increased rating for residuals of gunshot wound of the left calf with injury to MG XI.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in April 2008 due to lack of evidence. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at May 18, 2010.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected PTSD. His PTSD has been rated at 70% since October 31, 2008. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70% for PTSD or for compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in work, family relations, and mood. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial evaluation of 70 percent, but no higher, for PTSD are met.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The RO/AMC must obtain SSA disability benefits records and re-adjudicate the claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records, VA medical records, and SSA records. The Veteran will be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder that may be present.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, but it is not clear whether these claims should be granted or denied as they are still under review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral corneal ectasia, dry eye syndrome, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development including updated treatment records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and because his TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with this increased rating claim.