PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and cocaine use disorder render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of adequate medical evidence and reasoning in the previous VA examination. The case is now pending for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issues of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral foot disability. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder is remanded due to the inadequacy of the October 2016 VA examination and the failure to consider VA medical treatment records. A new VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, and for secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction to include as secondary to service-connected benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The VA is instructed to verify all periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA and obtain any outstanding service treatment or personnel records. They are also asked to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination by an appropriately qualified examiner to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed erectile dysfunction and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted. Service connection for a depressive disorder is granted, but service connection for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder prior to March 19, 2018 was denied. Since March 19, 2018, the Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating for post-traumatic stress disorder. The Veteran's individual unemployability claim has also been denied.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative changes is currently rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD with secondary alcohol use disorder and substance-induced depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent. Both issues have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing private medical records. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records from his listed providers.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The effective date of his PTSD service connection is denied as it was not received until July 15, 2010. Other claims have been remanded.