PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and for sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, left shoulder disability, right hip and knee disabilities, and PTSD due to new evidence suggesting service connection may be warranted. The VA will conduct additional examinations and seek an addendum opinion regarding the nature of his psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received by the Veteran, which suggests that his PTSD and major depressive disorder may be related to in-service harassment and a personal assault. The claim is being returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to insufficient clarity in the previous examination regarding his thoughts of harm.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to uncertainty in the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. A new examination is required to determine if he can secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability and PTSD due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition.,The Veteran's request to increase his rating for migraines from 30% to greater than 30% is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for TBI was dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for migraines prior to April 2018 was denied, but he received a grant of a 50% rating for migraines from that date onwards.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, depression, and tinnitus. The right knee disability is rated at 30 percent based on limitation of flexion.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinnitus and remanded it for further development. The Veteran's PTSD remains denied as his disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for reopening of his PTSD service connection has been granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for right ear hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (including major depressive disorder). However, further examination is needed as the Veteran's low back disability may have worsened since his last VA examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and has denied an increased rating for type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and erectile dysfunction. The left knee shrapnel wound scar is rated as noncompensable, while PTSD is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus need further evaluation due to potential progression of symptoms since his last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU based on service-connected PTSD due to pending development and potential changes in the evaluation of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, bilateral knee arthritis, GERD, and chest pain.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the failure to report for a scheduled examination. The examiner must determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder had its onset in service, was caused by service, or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 50 percent prior to May 9, 2016 and denied any higher rating thereafter.