PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and private medical records. The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a pilonidal cystectomy with scarring need to be evaluated again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as well as his bilateral knee and ankle conditions. The issues include determining whether his current psychiatric conditions are related to his in-service stressor and whether they are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), PTSD, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) is based on secondary service connection to a service-connected condition. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran. Tinnitus has not been linked to service.

The Veteran's hypertension and cardiomyopathy are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD.,PTSD is granted with a 100 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The issues of increased ratings for bilateral temporomandibular degenerative joint disease and posttraumatic stress disorder with anxiety and panic disorders and agoraphobia are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD disability rating is being remanded for further examination and consideration of additional VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary asbestosis, but the issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending and needs to be remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, vitiligo, thyroid disability, lateral instability of the right knee, and a right knee lateral meniscus tear with chronic sprain and early degenerative changes. The claim for increased ratings for these conditions was also dismissed. The Board remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and for additional development in connection with his claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, cataracts, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, stroke residuals, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, due to herbicide exposure at Takhli RTAFB, is granted. The claim for PTSD was denied as new and material evidence did not support the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD remains on appeal as the RO increased his disability rating to 50 percent in April 2017. The Board has previously remanded this case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination. However, the VAMC failed to send the Veteran an updated appointment letter with his current address, leading to another remand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD and dysthymia, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, alcohol abuse and PTSD is granted. The claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran is granted an initial 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with sleep impairment since January 28, 2011. The decision also grants entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) since the same date.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of rhinitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6522.,The claim to reopen service connection for a low back disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The claim to reopen service connection for a right knee disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The claim to reopen service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, secondary to rhinitis, was granted. The Board found that the evidence raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The claim to reopen service connection for a neck disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for chronic fatigue syndrome is being remanded due to the need for further consideration and review.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Adjustment Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disorder. The denial was based on insufficient evidence to verify the claimed in-service stressors, leading to a lack of a causal relationship between current PTSD symptoms and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's ability to work prior to January 23, 2014. The VA needs to request a medical opinion on the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities during that period.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, due to the Veteran's fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his service in Bahrain.