PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder sprain, lower back muscle strain, left knee osteoarthritis, and headaches. The claim of PTSD was granted with new and material evidence.,PTSD was reopened but the claim remains pending as it has not been fully adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back condition, and bilateral knee conditions have been reopened. However, the Board finds that there is no evidence to support these claims as they did not originate during service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and personality disorder, due to insufficient credible supporting evidence to corroborate the Veteran's alleged in-service stressor of combat experience.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted. The effective dates are not specified as the appeals were remanded.,A claim for hypertension was also remanded, but no effective date is provided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for impairment of right tibia and fibula, constipation, and PTSD have been denied as the evidence does not show moderate knee or ankle disability, frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress, or occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to psychiatric symptoms.

The Board has found that further development of the claimed stressor is warranted for the Veteran's PTSD claim due to inconsistencies in his personnel records and lack of verification.,For the chronic diarrhea claim, no specific service connection theory or exposure basis was provided.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and adjudicating whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a previously denied claim for PTSD. The anxiety disorder rating will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher initial rating of 70 percent. The low back disability for the period prior to October 1, 2010 is remanded due to inadequate examination. The right knee disability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran currently has any mental health disorders, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to provide diagnoses for all current psychiatric disorders found following a review of the claims file and to opine on whether each disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board finds that the earliest possible effective date for the award of service connection for the Veteran’s PTSD is July 28, 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension have been dismissed.,For the period prior to June 15, 2015, the Veteran’s chronic tension headaches were rated as noncompensable (0 percent).

The Board has restored the Veteran's 50 percent rating for PTSD, effective October 1, 2014, finding that his condition had not improved under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was dismissed because the Veteran did not file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) to appeal the initial rating assigned.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is denied as the CVA did not manifest within one year of discharge and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's initial evaluation for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety and depression) due to incomplete records and the need to obtain SSA records.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no evidence linking COPD or PTSD to active service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to April 29, 2013 was denied as he did not have any service-connected disabilities at that time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, and headache disability have been granted. The claim for an increased rating for tinnitus remains pending.