PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sinusitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been reopened. The Veteran is not service connected for PTSD at this time.,PTSD: Service connection has not been established as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current disability of PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected PTSD, which makes it impossible for him to obtain and maintain substantial gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting diagnoses and new evidence presented at a hearing, requiring further examination to determine if PTSD and/or fear of small spaces are service-connected.

The Board has denied service connection for lung cancer and remanded the issue of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, generalized anxiety and depression. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records and schedule a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to in-service combat stressors.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's PTSD has been evaluated as 50 percent disabling throughout the appeal period. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they did not cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disorder due to circumcision is dismissed. The claim for PTSD is denied. The appeal for respiratory disorder (asbestos exposure) is denied. The appeal for sleep disorder is denied. The appeal for headaches is denied. An initial rating of 20 percent for left ankle degenerative joint disease is granted. Appeals for coronary artery disease, hypertension, corns of the bilateral feet, and hemorrhoids are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is rated at 70 percent. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD and knee disabilities. The Veteran needs to provide additional evidence supporting her claims of military sexual trauma (MST) for PTSD, and a new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of her bilateral stress reactions in the lower extremities with bilateral knee impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric conditions, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and acid reflux. The cases are remanded for additional development.

The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was not reopened, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric condition including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his PTSD is being remanded because the VA has not provided him with an updated examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as the evidence did not show a relevant in-service incident that led to the development of the condition.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for residuals of TBI, service connection for psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and an initial compensable rating and a rating greater than 30 percent from April 12, 2016, for seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp. Further development is needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was reopened due to new evidence, and the Board found that these conditions are related to his military service. Service connection is now granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection for PTSD were denied. The right wrist and left knee disabilities are rated at the minimum levels, and there is no indication of a new or material issue that would warrant reopening the claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including addressing service connection for a left eye disability and earlier effective dates for various benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the Board finds that his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.