PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore service connection for PTSD is denied. The claims for DM, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure are also denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in the record.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from December 1, 2008, to June 3, 2011. The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for the period before June 3, 2011, and a 70 percent disability rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and diabetes mellitus, type II are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the potential pre-service onset of his psychiatric condition and the relationship between his schizophrenia and diabetes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of reopening his PTSD with depression, alcohol and drug abuse due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran also has a depressive disorder, NOS, but it is not shown to be related or attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 70 percent disabling since July 27, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether his pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder secondary to bilateral pes planus is being remanded as well, with the same reasoning as above.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) remains pending. The need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his major depressive disorder and schizoaffective disorder has been identified.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records from 1977, as well as a search for clinical records from Camp Casey, Korea.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities (chronic low back disability, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy) meeting the schedular criteria as of June 3, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 70 percent prior to April 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining personnel records and a VA psychiatric medical opinion to assess the Veteran's PTSD and depression diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent for the portion of the appeal period prior to December 29, 2013 and at 70 percent from that date. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others are denied.

The Veteran's application for a TDIU prior to September 7, 2010 is being referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a separate and distinct diagnosis of depression, adjustment disorder, or a panic/anxiety disability. The evidence supports service connection for PTSD with alcohol dependence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation effective December 18, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claim of service connection for the residuals of a right great toe infection (claimed as gout) has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his service in Vietnam. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are presumed to be due to acoustic trauma during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his service, including his combat experiences during World War II.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has not yet decided whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims. The case is being remanded for further consideration.