PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate his PTSD and due process development of the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current skin disorder or an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred or aggravated by service-connected disabilities and denied his claim for service connection on a secondary basis. The derivative TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent since May 5, 2016, based on symptoms of near continuous anxiety or depression, maintaining relationships only with his nuclear family, chronic sleep impairment, avoidance behaviors, disturbances of motivation and mood, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, diminished interest in activities, flashbacks, feelings of anger, distrust, and detachment. The Veteran's occupational and social impairment was characterized by reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran is granted service connection for PTSD, as it was incurred during his military service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is not granted. The claim is denied because the earliest post-service evidence of depression is in 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed brain atrophy is related to his service-connected malaria, and he is granted service connection for this condition. For his PTSD, the Board finds that a rating of 50 percent (the maximum) is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient record to support a service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran will need another VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available. His bilateral hearing loss was initially granted a non-compensable rating and then denied for an increased rating from September 17, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims file is incomplete and there are outstanding issues related to substitution. The case is being remanded for these matters.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he is currently employed and able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder. He also seeks higher ratings for his right ankle fracture with osteoarthritis and chronic low back strain with degenerative changes and herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, is reopened on new evidence. The Board will determine whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his reported stressors and whether it is proximately due or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran seeks higher ratings for residuals of a right ankle fracture with osteoarthritis. A VA examination is needed to assess the severity of this condition.,The Veteran seeks separate ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The December 2015 VA spine examination findings must be considered in determining whether these conditions warrant separate ratings.,The Veteran seeks separate ratings for his lower extremity radiculopathy. A VA examination is needed to assess the severity of this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse was granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective May 23, 2006. The TDIU claim is granted from May 23, 2006 to August 13, 2007 due to the combined effect of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing VA and private treatment records. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the impact of a psychiatric disorder on sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran was exposed to traumatic events during his military service and a VA psychiatrist confirmed the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is service connected, as it had its onset in service and there is a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his right ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities, neck trauma and lower back conditions. The Veteran has not been provided with a VA examination regarding his right eye condition.

The Board has determined that the case is inextricably intertwined and must be remanded for further development, including obtaining VA traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hypertension examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of new evidence. The issues on appeal are whether service connection can be established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), a skin disability, or bilateral cataracts.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 70 percent. The other issues were not addressed due to the remand.