PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a depressive disorder (claimed as PTSD), is related to his combat service in Vietnam and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is being remanded for additional examination and evidence collection to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, as well as his tinnitus are found to be related to service. Bilateral hearing loss is also found to be related to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood, due to symptoms like anxiety; chronic sleep impairment; difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships; suicidal ideation; near-continuous depression affecting function; impaired impulse control; difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances; anger; hopelessness; intrusive memories; nightmares; hyperarousal; hypervigilance; flashbacks; loss of interest; irritability; isolation; avoidance; lack of motivation; and GAF scores ranging from 50 to 65. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD have been met.

The Veteran's claims for Gulf War Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Sleep Apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or connection to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including a provisional diagnosis of PTSD but no definitive link between military stressors and the condition, the Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks, secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, hearing loss, and left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since December 2009. The Board granted a 100% rating for PTSD, finding that the disability results in total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent effective June 26, 2006. A temporary 100 percent rating for inpatient treatment was assigned from January 9 to April 1, 2007.,In April 2013, the Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70 percent effective January 22, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxiety has been rated at 30 percent, effective July 13, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 50 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD, as his most recent evaluation was conducted in March 2011 and he testified that his condition has worsened.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and medical records, as well as requesting Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran is also scheduled to undergo a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 50 percent effective March 8, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 100 percent since May 7, 2009.

The Veteran's initial rating for left shoulder impingement syndrome remains at 10 percent, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is denied.,No new evidence of a current diagnosis or causal link to service was provided.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective December 22, 2010. The appeal for higher ratings and reopening of service connection claims were withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and he was assigned a combined rating of 20 percent effective July 25, 2007. An additional attorney fee of $909.60 is awarded based on the 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and anxiety were denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The hearing loss claim was denied as the Veteran does not have a ratable disability, while tinnitus is considered incurred in service.