PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD (including as secondary to the service-connected lumbar strain), service connection for hypertension, and service connection for loss of feeling and/or pain in the right leg (including as secondary to the service-connected lumbar strain).

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability, an increased rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 23, 2017, and 40 percent thereafter, for right shoulder instability, an increased rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 23, 2017, and 40 percent thereafter, for a back condition, and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 23, 2017, and 70 percent thereafter, for PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with an examination to determine the nature and etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent for his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, and the appeal is granted. The Board also remanded the case to obtain additional evidence and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no credible in-service stressors that support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and anxiety disorder. The VA is required to obtain a new medical opinion from an examiner other than the February 2012 VA examiner to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis in accordance with the DSM-5 based on MST.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The claim for a left knee disorder is reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial in March 2010. Service connection has also been established for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder on a secondary basis as it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability.

The claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened, but the issues related to active duty for training dates and other acquired psychiatric disorders need further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to a psychiatric condition. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with new evidence and a more comprehensive examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral shin splints, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain due to new evidence and need for further examination. The TDIU and DEA benefits claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it only approximates reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. However, additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current mental health conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee disability, have been denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for a chronic adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than an adjustment disorder remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, upper and lower respiratory disability, bilateral knee degenerative changes, left elbow epicondylitis; olecranon bursitis, muscle injuries, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), GERD, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions or that they were related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded due to inconsistencies in self-report and the need for a new examination after sobriety.

The Board denied service connection for OSA secondary to service-connected PTSD, but remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and cervical spine disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on the benefit of the doubt.

The Veteran's appeal was timely filed, and the Board found that his claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted.