PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD, and as new and material evidence was received, the claim is now considered on its merits. The Veteran's in-service stressors are being verified through a search of USS Southerland ship logs.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 31, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability and COPD. The Veteran's genitourinary disability is not considered within the scope of this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his depressive and anxiety symptoms are more likely related to his substance abuse rather than his military service. As such, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of medical records. The issues include higher ratings for peripheral vascular disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and cataracts.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are rated at 30 percent since November 21, 2006. The Board has remanded the case for additional development and a new VA examination to address the impact of alcohol abuse on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claims for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and PTSD. The claim for low back disability was reopened due to new evidence provided by a private physician. Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss disability based on in-service noise exposure without protection. PTSD is also service-connected as it is linked to an in-service stressor that has been corroborated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective from October 11, 2005. The decision is based on the verification of in-service stressors provided by U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases, including a penile cyst. The Veteran's currently diagnosed penile benign cyst is not caused by his service-connected gonorrhea from over 40 years ago.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to confusion, severe short-term memory loss, and fatigue from PTSD has been found. As the compensation at aid and attendance rate is greater than housebound rate, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent disability rating. The Board has granted the increased rating claim, finding that his symptoms warrant this level of disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board or video conference hearing due to the Veteran's illness, and will handle any additional development as needed.

The Board has remanded the case for a clarification of whether any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was related to service and if so, whether it is at least as likely as not that any pre-existing condition was aggravated by service. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression) has been rated at 70 percent since September 1, 2011. The Board found that the criteria for a 100 percent rating were not met during this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and alcohol dependence were denied as there was no credible evidence to support the occurrence of his claimed stressors, and direct service connection is not available for alcohol dependence.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted effective February 9, 2007. He is currently rated at 100% for PTSD.

The Board finds no error in the November 2009 rating decision's calculation of the combined disability rating of 80 percent and denies the request for a higher combined disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to evaluate the current nature and severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating claim.