PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board is remanding the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left foot disorder, a left ankle disability, and a laceration on the back of head. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.,The Board is remanding the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disorder due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding direct service incurrence and aggravation.,The TBI claim is being remanded as well, requiring a new VA examination to assess current severity.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's left shoulder, low back, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) to determine their etiology. The right shoulder disability is also being remanded for an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, osteoarthritis of the hips and knees, degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy, have rendered her unable to work due to functional limitations. The Board finds that further examination is needed to assess these effects on employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused significant occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The current 70% rating is appropriate given his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, colon cancer, and automatic dyscontrol due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran will need to provide additional VA treatment records, undergo a psychiatric examination, a neurological examination, and an opinion regarding his exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent from July 9, 2004 to July 24, 2010. A higher rating of 70 percent or above was denied for the period after July 24, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and his claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a prostate condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to inadequate examinations and lack of evidence. The Veteran needs further examination to determine if he has a current diagnosis and whether it is related to his service, including exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been linked to sleep apnea, which is granted. However, his claims for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD remain denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, skin condition, and PTSD. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, left and right ankle disabilities, and headaches have been remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for PTSD due to a withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence that the condition manifested within one year after service and it did not meet VA compensation criteria.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and General Anxiety Disorder, due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded due to uncertainty in meeting the criteria under the DSM-5.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and for a higher rating for low back strain with spondylolisthesis. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability from the other two issues.

The Veteran's PTSD with polysubstance use disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating, as it does not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination and issues with communication. The Veteran is seeking service connection for MDD and PTSD, which he contends are related to his combat experiences in Korea.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his TDIU, which was initially awarded on January 1, 2009. However, the RO granted a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD and awarded statutory SMC at the housebound rate effective September 28, 2007. This renders the issue of TDIU moot.,The Veteran also sought an earlier effective date for DEA under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, which was granted in November 2017 and is now fully awarded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is granted, and the claim is reopened.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder is granted, and the claim is reopened.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information regarding his employment and education history, and the need for a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.