PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by some difficulty in maintaining social relationships, nightmares and insomnia; obsessional rituals, impaired impulse control, near continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, spatial disorientation, illogical or obscure speech, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. For the period from November 6, 2006, to August 6, 2008, a rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a clinical opinion regarding whether his pre-existing mental health condition was aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold weather injuries, PTSD, bilateral knee disability, and heart disability have been denied.,Service connection was not granted for epididymitis as new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent ability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD, skin rash of the feet and body, and migraine headaches have been granted service connection with an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD. The other conditions were found to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's left calf muscle atrophy and weakness were incurred in service, but there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The Board finds that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 22, 2001. The RO also granted a TDIU effective from May 21, 2001.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for PTSD has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision below and are REMANDED to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and hypertension. The evidence is sufficient to establish that these conditions are related to service.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Depression, Anxiety) and hypertension.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues currently under consideration.

The reduction in the Veteran's PTSD evaluation from 70 percent to 50 percent was proper, as evidenced by a December 2008 VA examination showing that his disability picture did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and considering all evidence received since the last prior adjudication.

The Board has determined that an effective date of March 29, 1993 for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have an in-service event, injury or disease to which his spine arthritis and L1 compression fracture residuals may be related. As a result, service connection for back disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to delays caused by obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a new examination for PTSD. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and GERD remain pending.