PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's request to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD is granted. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 50 percent effective March 1, 2013. The issue of a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since August 17, 2015. The Board found that the symptoms of anxiety, restlessness, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and PTSD), pleural effusions, asthma, sleep apnea, pseudobulbar affect, stroke residuals, thyroid tumor, atrial fibrillation, and headaches. The decision also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, adjustment disorder, and anxiety disorder is granted service connection. An initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids is granted. The Veteran's dermatitis is rated noncompensable under the old criteria but granted a non-compensable rating under the new criteria. Ratings are granted for tensional headaches since December 6, 2011 and depressive disorder not otherwise specified (previously diagnosed as circadian rhythm disorder). A compensable rating for temporomandibular joint disorder is also granted.

An effective date of March 14, 2007 for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD and depressive disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased rating for PTSD, service connection for migraines, and service connection for hypertension due to incomplete responses in the December 2017 DBQ report and lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 18, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for PTSD and denies the claim. Other claims related to shoulder, elbow, back, and knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a skin disorder (tinea versicolor) and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, but denied service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent, while his left lower extremity radiculopathy and monoparesis are rated at 40 percent from September 14, 2015.,The Veteran was denied a TDIU based on the service-connected radiculopathies. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is aggravated by his PTSD, allowing for a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left knee disorder, left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, low back disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder. Additional development is required due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral foot condition, sleep apnea, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, sinus condition, and PTSD due to incomplete development of records and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and adjustment disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and thus could not grant service connection for it. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 10 percent, but the Board has granted a rating of 70 percent based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 70 percent, but an initial rating higher than this level is denied. The claim for a TDIU prior to May 31, 2008, remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to her service-connected conditions and any stressors she experienced during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran currently has PTSD. The case will be returned for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran had a diagnosis of PTSD during his military service and its relationship to his service.

The Board dismissed the appeals of whether VA has received new and material evidence to reopen a claim for service connection for a low back disorder, entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia, and entitlement to service connection for depression. The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD was also dismissed.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD and whether it was caused by or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is proximately due to or has been aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.