PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, needs further investigation and evidence collection before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, epididymitis, and PTSD due to the passage of time since their last examinations and the Veteran's reported worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% from June 14, 2007 to October 5, 2017. A TDIU is granted beginning January 1, 2008.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, acid reflux, and erectile dysfunction were not found to have begun during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) was also not found to have begun during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to September 9, 2010 and increased to 70 percent thereafter.,A TDIU is granted from January 20, 2010.

The claim for service connection of PTSD is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the in-service stressor needs to be verified as the Veteran served during a period involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the criteria for TDIU have been met since November 20, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since December 27, 2012. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral hip disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to his service, and the seborrheic dermatitis issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's testicle condition claim is denied as he does not have a present diagnosis and the preponderance of the evidence does not support an etiological link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities render him unemployable, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and panic disorder has been rated at 100 percent since July 24, 2013. The Board found that the symptoms of total occupational and social impairment due to gross impairment in thought processes, memory impairment, inability to concentrate, irritability, angry outbursts, and difficulty establishing effective relationships have been present throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted. Additionally, TDIU is being remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is denied, and his request for a higher disability rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's death was due to cardiorespiratory failure caused by CAD and COPD. His service-connected anxiety disorder aggravated his COPD, contributing to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and a need for further examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause him to be unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of bilateral pes planus and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as the grant of service connection for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, were denied due to lack of factual evidence showing an increase in disability within one year prior to January 13, 2016. The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to these decisions are also being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right and left knee conditions was granted with separate evaluations of 10 percent effective January 15, 2016. His intent to file a claim for these conditions on January 15, 2016 is considered the date entitlement arose.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation by reason of being housebound was denied because none of his service-connected disabilities are rated as 100 percent disabling independently, and the threshold schedular requirement for housebound under any theory is not met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence, and the Board has now granted service connection for PTSD as it is linked to an in-service personal assault.