PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability was granted. The claim for posttraumatic stress disorder received a 70% evaluation with an effective date of June 10, 2008.,Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was granted but the remanded issue of service connection for gastrointestinal disability remains unresolved.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor.

The Veteran's service connection claims for thyroid disability, abdominal scar post hernia repair, and PTSD are all remanded. The Board found insufficient evidence to grant service connection for the thyroid disability or increase ratings for the abdominal scar and PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to her service-connected PTSD.,PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder and heart condition prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and cannabis abuse has been rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms are more comparable to a reduced reliability and productivity than total occupational and social impairment. The appeal is remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his claims, including service connection for various conditions and their secondary effects.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code (DC) 9411.,The Veteran’s service-connected tinnitus is assigned a 10 percent rating.

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.