PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding all diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service treatment records confirm a helicopter accident in 1973, but his VA examiner found no current mental diagnosis or link between symptoms and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bladder cancer and PTSD due to conflicting medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other two issues.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The claim for service connection for depressive disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD in September 2012, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The Veteran's claim was later granted with effective date July 15, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective September 2, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective December 29, 1993. However, the issue of TDIU prior to that date is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities during this period.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating as of January 1, 2008 due to his service-connected PTSD. Prior to that date, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, and his hypertension is rated as noncompensable. The Veteran's PTSD, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees, and tinnitus are all currently rated appropriately. The appeal is remanded for further development on issues related to service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and a compensable rating for a skin condition due to missing treatment records and incomplete VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD with MDD was denied, and the effective date for a 70% evaluation was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there was no in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptoms post-service. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and posttraumatic stress disorders, was denied. Additionally, his claims for various right hand conditions were also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease/Barrett’s Syndrome, and back condition are granted as service-connected due to in-service combat noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in September 2009. New evidence submitted since then did not relate to unestablished facts and does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder is granted with an effective date of November 25, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Veteran's migraines are now rated at 50% effective from February 1, 2016. Service connection for PTSD is granted. The right ankle disorder and vision problems due to fuel spillage have been remanded. Service connection for folliculitis and asthma remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, and he has requested a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition. The Board finds that one additional opportunity for an examination is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective April 14, 2014. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) and an increased rating for right knee disability due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to military service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the evidence does not support a diagnosis of any other condition beyond alcohol use disorder.