PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and PTSD. The Veteran's prescriptions for PTSD are suspected to aggravate his sleep apnea, and there is a need for updated medical opinions on this issue. Additionally, it is unclear if PTSD causes or aggravates his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension, secondary to PTSD, depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, or medications taken for those conditions, has been reopened and remanded.,The Veteran's claim for seizure disorder remains denied as new and material evidence was not received.,Left ear hearing loss is rated at 0 percent effective May 20, 2014. The issue of an earlier effective date is remanded.,Diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and the Veteran's request for a higher rating remains denied.,PTSD, depressive disorder, sleep disorder, coronary artery disease, hypertension (secondary to PTSD, depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, or medications taken for those conditions), acid reflux (secondary to PTSD, depressive disorder, or diabetes mellitus), and erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD, depressive disorder, or diabetes mellitus) are all remanded.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for left ear hearing loss is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate those required for a higher disability rating.

Service connection for PTSD is granted as the Veteran's reported combat experiences in Vietnam are sufficient to establish his service-connected stressors, and he has a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence that it became manifest during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disability require the aid and attendance of another person for daily activities, including protection from hazards, dressing, undressing, keeping clean, and attending to personal needs. Special monthly compensation on account of need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board dismissed all previously appealed claims due to the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service stressor and the VA examiner found a diagnosis of other specified depressive disorder related to stressors such as family problems, lack of income, and pain.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for an increased rating of PTSD prior to January 13, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are found to be related to military sexual trauma (MST) during service. The sleep disorder is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's application for a TDIU was received on May 19, 2011. The Board found that there is no evidence of an earlier unresolved increased rating claim and no factually ascertainable evidence demonstrating the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disabilities within one year prior to May 19, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including left thigh and leg disabilities, sleep apnea, left knee disability, PTSD, and depressive and mood disorders. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD that meets the DSM criteria for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and a higher rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of sleep apnea related to his military service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including bladder disability, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression), sleep apnea, varicose veins, liver damage, erectile dysfunction, bicep disabilities, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, low back disability, scar and numbness of the back, right wrist disability, missing tooth disability, eye disability (chronic conjunctivitis), bronchitis, and asthma. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service or do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for cause of death due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's PTSD with his murder, and no new and material evidence has been received since the last denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD as due to MST. The case will be reviewed after a VA mental health examination is conducted.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD and TDIU prior to September 26, 2012 due to inadequate reasons or bases in the previous decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of probative evidence showing she currently has this condition.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on her need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound, as there was no evidence indicating she required such assistance.

The Veteran's mental health condition, characterized as an adjustment disorder with anxious mood and PTSD with memory loss, has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.