PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for reopening his PTSD service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, despite additional VA records indicating a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for PTSD is remanded due to the possibility of a worsening of his symptoms, and he needs another VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for right and left ankle disabilities, right and left knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the November 2016 letter from Dr. T.R.F.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he is capable of performing sedentary work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, which is related to his in-service combat stressors. As such, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, rib/breast bone disorder, and chronic headaches secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar degenerative arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and a mood disorder. The Veteran's back pain is believed to have occurred due to a personal assault during service, which may have aggravated his existing condition. The VA needs to obtain relevant medical records from San Diego NMC for both claims.

The Veteran's PTSD, left wrist disability, and CFS have been granted service connection. The case has also been remanded for further examination regarding the Veteran's CFS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for right knee disability and a diagnosis of PTSD are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder were rated at 70% effective February 15, 2011. The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 21, 2009 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has decided that an additional VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted a 70 percent initial evaluation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) since the inception of the claim, finding that the Veteran's symptoms warrant this rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to August 18, 2013 caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. From August 18, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's PTSD is granted but with a rating of 50%.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for chronic fatigue disorder, kidney disorder, migraine headaches, neurological signs and symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and coronary artery disease (CAD) have been dismissed. The appeal for CAD has been remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and has also granted TDIU. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding the in-service stressor allegations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative changes of the thoracic and lumbar spine has been reopened, and it is granted. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection for bilateral knee, low back, and head injuries due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes have been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal before a final decision was made.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and treatment records. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it may be impacted by the PTSD rating determination.