PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorder NOS is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The case will be adjudicated again after the necessary corrective actions are taken.

The Veteran's TBI residuals have been properly rated under the appropriate diagnostic codes, and a separate compensable disability rating for TBI under Diagnostic Code 8045 is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, is granted as his current diagnosis of PTSD with depression is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verifying specific events during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for PTSD were denied. The Veteran was found to have mild to moderately severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss through 2000 Hz, with a current level I hearing in the right ear and level V in the left ear. For his PTSD, he had symptoms indicative of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to flattened affect, depression, anxiety, and Global Assessment of Functioning score of 55.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and tinnitus. The claim is also being remanded for obtaining post-January 2012 treatment records from the Dallas VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the purpose of obtaining additional VA treatment records and private mental health care provider records. The claims for an increased initial rating for PTSD and TDIU will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent, effective March 5, 2007. The Board found that the disability picture did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating from December 23, 2004 to February 10, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from hepatic cancer due to, or as consequence of, diabetes mellitus and cirrhosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right and left knee instability, lumbar strain, and arthritis of the knees, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disease disability does not result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, nor does it cause him to be wheelchair bound. The Board finds that he is not entitled to specially adapted housing.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain VA outpatient treatment records from the Beckley, West Virginia VAMC for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability. The case is now remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable at the time of his death, and therefore, he was not entitled to a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to evaluate whether the Veteran has a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The examiner should provide opinions on whether any current psychiatric disability is related to service and if alcoholism is related to a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to October 24, 2013 and increased to 70 percent effective October 24, 2013.,PTSD remains rated at 70 percent since October 24, 2013. The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease was initially rated at 20 percent prior to October 16, 2013 and increased to 40 percent effective October 16, 2013.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent. Right lower extremity radiculopathy remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that while he experienced a traumatic stressor during service, his symptoms did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or any other psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration, including obtaining medical records from various providers and scheduling a VA compensation examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim is denied.