PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% from November 23, 2009 to March 16, 2010 and at 50% thereafter. The IBS with associated GERD was rated at 30%. Both conditions were granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder did not begin during service. Additionally, hypertension is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The Veteran also seeks a TDIU which requires further information regarding his employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but not more severe manifestations warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran seeks to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board will need to obtain any outstanding treatment records from the Portsmouth VA CBOC and review them in order to determine if new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) based on a diagnosis meeting VA regulations and a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor. The appeals regarding acne and lung cancer are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's death is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and a VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, alcohol abuse, and polysubstance abuse.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination for PTSD and issuance of a proper statement of the case regarding VR&E issues.

The Board has dismissed both issues due to the appellant's death. The appeal of the issue regarding separate evaluations for PTSD and substance dependency is dismissed, and the appeal of the issue regarding an effective date prior to December 5, 2008, for service connection for PTSD with substance dependency is also dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The case may also be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services if it is determined that he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD and the issue of entitlement to TDIU have been withdrawn. The case is dismissed.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure there is a complete record upon which to decide the claim, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence to support this. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and dissociative amnesia are also considered mixed (some issues granted, some not).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development including a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hearing loss was denied, and the Board found that his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) did not meet the criteria for a separate disability evaluation. The lung condition and kidney disease claims were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD and a link between the condition and his active duty service, including verified combat stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Board also found that his arthritis did not manifest within one year of separation from service and thus is not entitled to presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his anxiety disorder. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder other than cannabis abuse. Bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.