PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD due to an in-service personal assault, is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by near-continuous anxiety and depression affecting his ability to function appropriately, chronic sleep impairment, impaired judgment, suicidal and homicidal ideation, impaired impulse control, grossly inappropriate behavior, an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships, and difficulty adapting to work and tasks. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for all issues on appeal, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, ascertaining the type of SSA benefits the Veteran receives, scheduling a VA examination to assess acquired psychiatric disorder, and scheduling a VA examination to assess bilateral perforated ear drums, vertigo/dizziness, and ear infections.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied by the RO, but a VA physician diagnosed PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria. The Board finds that a new examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his reported stressors and whether they meet the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's initial 30% evaluation for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including VA mental health treatment notes and a new examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and further review.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and thus denies his claim for an increased disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, that is related to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and assigned a 30 percent evaluation, with occupational and social impairment resulting in reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address whether his current psychiatric disability is aggravated by another service-connected disability.

The Veteran's malignant glial neoplasm was not service connected, and the Board could find no evidence linking it to herbicide exposure or a head injury. The cause of death from cardiorespiratory arrest due to glioblastoma multiforme is also not attributable to VA medical care.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it was incurred in service due to a credible in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since September 26, 2009. For the initial rating period prior to that date, a higher disability rating for PTSD was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is service-connected. The left ear hearing loss disability was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim of an earlier effective date for PTSD is dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and adjudication of his claims, including the issues related to service connection for psychiatric disabilities, a back disability, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration and private treatment records. The TDIU claim will also be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather other issues related to compensation and rating.