09-18 694, 09-18 694

The Board denied service connection for eye coronary pressure and adjudicated PTSD at 50% prior to April 10, 2008, with others remanded.
The Veteran contends eye problems are related to service and seeks a higher PTSD rating and unemployability benefits.
Post-service records show a right-eye hemorrhage and suspected glaucoma, with family history of glaucoma, but no in-service eye diagnosis.
VA examinations (2007) linked PTSD to significant social/occupational impairment but did not show criteria for a 70% rating pre-April 2008.
The Board expanded the appeal to include obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU, directing remand for development, including new exams.
Remand actions include obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling comprehensive PTSD and sleep-disorder examinations, and addressing TDIU per Rice v. Shinseki.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Eye condition service connection	Eye problem linked to service.	No in-service eye diagnosis or nexus evidence.	Denied
PTSD rating prior to April 10, 2008	PTSD warrants rating higher than 50%.	Evidence does not support a 70% rating pre-2008.	Denied
PTSD rating from April 10, 2008	PTSD rating should be increased after April 10, 2008.	Not decided; remand required for proper assessment.	Remanded
Obstructive sleep apnea service connection	Sleep apnea is related to service significance.	Evidence insufficient; requires development.	Remanded
TDIU due to service-connected PTSD	PTSD prevents substantial gainful employment.	Requires specific TDIU filing and development.	Remanded

McClendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006) (medical nexus requires medical evidence; not all lay assertions are competent)
Layno v. Brown, 6 Vet. App. 465 (1994) (credibility of lay evidence may establish in-service events)
Rice v. Shinseki, 22 Vet. App. 447 (2009) (TDIU as part of increased-rating claim analysis)