PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions has been granted. The specific conditions include low back strain, hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, and depression), and residuals of exposure to tuberculosis disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The issues include left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, PTSD, sleep apnea, and hiatal hernia with GERD and esophagitis.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal before the decision was made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran is in need of aid and attendance or housebound as a result of his service-connected disabilities. The VA needs to obtain updated medical records, conduct an examination without the Veteran's wife present, and determine if he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a right ankle disorder, speech impediment, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety), and seizure disorder. The appeals were not granted as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's right foot cold weather injury residuals are rated at 30 percent from September 19, 2011 to July 27, 2015. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to May 15, 2013 and 70 percent since then.

The Veteran's PTSD, tinnitus, and other service-connected conditions are currently rated based on their severity.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and anxiety. However, it denied these claims as there is no evidence to support a current diagnosis or link between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and the need to determine whether he has a diagnosis of PTSD based on a verified stressor event in service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and the need to determine whether he has a diagnosis of PTSD based on a verified stressor event in service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and PTSD, specifically requiring a VA examination for both conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent since they cause very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from pursuing education during his delimiting period, and the Board granted an extension of the delimiting date for educational assistance.

The Board has decided to remand four issues: service connection for gout, right and left ankle disorders, a compensable rating prior to May 7, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, for bilateral hearing loss; and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

Service connection for PTSD, ischemic heart disease, and tinnitus is granted. Effective dates are set for these grants. Service connection for dementia and bilateral hearing loss is remanded. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease and a TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board finds that no evidence supports a claim prior to November 28, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and substance abuse is rated at 50 percent since October 7, 2013 to December 19, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating or TDIU was denied as the criteria for both were not met.

The Veteran's Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is related to his military service and the claim for Bilateral Hearing Loss is remanded. Service connection is granted for PTSD.