PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD caused suicidal ideation, violent outbursts, reclusiveness, chronic sleep impairment, avoidance of triggers, weekly panic attacks, nightmares, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, and other symptoms. The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD from September 12, 2012 to May 1, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and reopening the claim for erectile dysfunction have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of depressive disorder (later recharacterized as PTSD) is denied because the earliest date of claim was August 22, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at a 30 percent rating as of June 25, 2018. The appeal was granted for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, has been granted. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's in-service stressors for PTSD and to determine if his erectile dysfunction is related to his PTSD or medications.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, left knee disability, and duodenal ulcer was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of occupational and social impairment warranting an increased rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing he is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to incomplete examinations and treatment records, as well as issues related to employment history.

The Veteran's PTSD causes significant impairment but not total occupational and social impairment, so the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for further action, including a new VA examination for the right knee disorder and preparation of an SOC for other claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. Service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hip disorder, left ankle disability, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to incomplete evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss disability did not manifest within a year of separation from service and is not related to in-service noise exposure. The issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD and to service connection for erectile dysfunction are remanded due to new evidence and need further examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability, posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD), bilateral knee strain, and liver cirrhosis has been granted. The effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 1, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU for the same period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee osteoarthritis, PTSD, CAD, right ankle osteoarthritis, and shrapnel wound scars, are rated at a combined 90 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to their severity and nature.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that there is no causal relationship between his in-service symptoms and current condition.

Service connection for migraine headaches and PTSD prior to April 15, 2009 is granted. Service connection for PTSD from April 15, 2009 to March 8, 2013 is also granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to March 8, 2013 remains pending.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, gastritis/GERD, and PTSD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now remanded for further development.