PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and a stomach disability has been reopened. The evidence supports the reopening of both claims, but further development is needed to determine if there is a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, or residuals of cold injuries related to his military service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD with adjustment disorder and depressed mood, effective from October 21, 2008.,A rating of 30 percent was assigned for PTSD with adjustment disorder and depressed mood prior to April 20, 2001.,From April 20, 2001 to July 31, 2005, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records. The issue is inextricably intertwined with claims for service connection for disorders of the shoulders, hips, left knee, and lumbar spine.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 6, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating before this date.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating effective June 7, 2010.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 21, 1989 for a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors and concluding that his current psychiatric conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as he does not currently have a diagnosed condition. The other issues on appeal are also addressed in the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or depressive disorder. The decision concluded that there was no current disability meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and it may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings following the award of service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD and depression associated with a service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The denial is based on the lack of evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD during military service or since his claim, as well as inadequate details provided for verification of claimed stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus had its onset in service. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder) remains pending as it is related to a different aspect of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if service connection is warranted for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are also being reviewed for any additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it on the merits, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, a bladder condition, acid reflux, infection of the hands, and a psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The claim for erectile dysfunction was granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence regarding his specific learning disability and its impact on employment, as well as an assessment of the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.