PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and PTSD, specifically requiring a VA examination for both conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent since they cause very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from pursuing education during his delimiting period, and the Board granted an extension of the delimiting date for educational assistance.

The Board has decided to remand four issues: service connection for gout, right and left ankle disorders, a compensable rating prior to May 7, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, for bilateral hearing loss; and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

Service connection for PTSD, ischemic heart disease, and tinnitus is granted. Effective dates are set for these grants. Service connection for dementia and bilateral hearing loss is remanded. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease and a TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board finds that no evidence supports a claim prior to November 28, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and substance abuse is rated at 50 percent since October 7, 2013 to December 19, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating or TDIU was denied as the criteria for both were not met.

The Veteran's Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is related to his military service and the claim for Bilateral Hearing Loss is remanded. Service connection is granted for PTSD.

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.