PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 6, 2014. Prior to that date, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,From July 28, 2014, the Veteran was found unable to obtain or maintain any form of substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for PTSD because the claimed in-service stressor was not incurred in the line of duty and there is no credible supporting evidence that another claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided to the Veteran in August 2013 is insufficient for purposes of adjudicating the claims and therefore, a remand is warranted. The issues are now REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide names and addresses of any medical care providers who have treated him, including Vet Center treatment. Updated VA treatment records since July 20, 2017 are also needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD, major depression, and general anxiety disorder.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's glaucoma was not shown to be incurred or aggravated by his military service, and the evidence did not support a finding that it was related to radiation exposure. For PTSD, the Board found no evidence of symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is also entitled to a higher initial rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected IBS, PTSD, and lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's IBS symptoms were severe but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD. The claim will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence and findings.

The Board dismissed the issue of entitlement to service connection for a skin disability due to withdrawal. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hepatitis, and right toe disability were denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD, finding new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for lower back pain, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, migraines, tinnitus, and maxillary sinusitis have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and dysthymic disorder) are denied. The claim for increased rating for status post laminectomy lumbosacral spine with low back pain is granted to a maximum of 40 percent from September 20, 2010 to August 6, 2016, but denied thereafter. Separate initial ratings in excess of 10 percent are not warranted for femoral nerve radiculopathy of the right leg and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left leg.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent effective from March 27, 2010 for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU). The effective date of August 15, 2008 was granted for the PTSD rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his service-connected mental conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for residuals of a traumatic brain injury with a cognitive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, and for migraine headaches. The appeal concerning an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot pes planus is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not approximated total occupational and social impairment, but his service-connected PTSD has prevented him from being able to secure and maintain gainful employment. The Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 13, 1988 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The earlier effective date has rendered the June 1988 rating decision non-final and moot the Veteran's motion for CUE.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service. The appeal regarding PTSD has been granted, with a rating in excess of 50 percent from November 23, 2013, and TDIU is granted effective since that date.