PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder and right knee/thigh disorder are granted as service-connected. The initial evaluation for PTSD is granted at 70 percent from October 1, 2015 to February 10, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for his acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, and thus grants service connection for OSA secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's metastatic gastric cancer claim has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. His hypertension claim remains denied, as does his bilateral hearing loss and PTSD claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information to verify a stressor event that may have led to PTSD. The Veteran must be provided with an examination and further development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions. Service connection will be determined based on the merits of each claim.

The Veteran's cause of death is not related to any service-connected conditions, and the appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and sleep disorder due to conflicting evidence and need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 27, 2012 to August 1, 2018. The Board remanded the issue for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disorder and PTSD were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left knee arthritis was also denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim from January 14, 2015 to present is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD based on an in-service personal assault is granted due to the presence of a current diagnosis, corroborated stressor, and link between symptoms and event.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are service-connected, but his back disability is not. The right shoulder disability has been rated at 20% since April 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not been of the type and degree that warrant a higher than 50 percent rating. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his service, as he reported witnessing a jeep racing accident during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor and the relationship between the claimed conditions and service. The Veteran's claims for schizoaffective disorder and PTSD are related to an in-service sexual assault, but more development is needed to establish a link.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as additional information about his employment status since 2011 is needed.

The Veteran's appeal to receive a higher rating for his PTSD and depressive disorder was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to any decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and depressive disorder is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied. Claims for increased ratings for facet arthritis and degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and cervical spine strain with degenerative changes, C5-C6, C6-C7 with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) were also denied.