PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before the Board at the RO. The issues include rating for bilateral hearing loss, verruca on both hands, and residuals of a fracture of the right little finger; service connection for erectile dysfunction, PTSD, left knee condition, hypertension, bilateral eye condition, and migraine headaches; and reopening claims for left knee condition, hypertension, and bilateral eye condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depression, is being remanded due to new evidence submitted after the previous denial. The case will be reconsidered without requiring new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to April 8, 2008 and at 70 percent from that date. The effective date for TDIU is not earlier than April 8, 2008.,PTSD symptoms included anxiety, intermittent nightmares, restricted affect, difficulty concentrating, avoidance, exaggerated startle response, social isolation, and suicidal thoughts.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the March 2009 evaluation, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder), diabetes mellitus type II, tachycardia, atrioventricular nodal re-entry, and degenerative arthrosis of the lumbar spine. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or any other compensable exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 30, 2008 for service connection of PTSD is granted. The Veteran was previously denied in August 2007 and his claim was reopened due to new evidence provided.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), erectile dysfunction, acid reflux, and a sleep disorder. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide a new VA examination for his PTSD and to review all of his recent VA treatment records. His TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms of severe sleep impairment, visual hallucinations, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms result in reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since August 29, 2007, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran is found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD, and the claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The examiner did not diagnose PTSD and found other diagnoses such as depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an expert opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders other than PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board video conference hearing. The specific issues of rating claims and service connection are not addressed as the appeal is in process.