PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner will also assess whether any other diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and her increased rating claim for migraine headaches was granted with a maximum schedular evaluation of 50 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is service-connected as it was related to pre-service stressors. The condition did not worsen during service.,Rheumatoid arthritis is not service connected as there is no evidence of chronicity within one year post-service separation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, and diabetes mellitus, are found to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive and dysthymic disorders is rated at 70 percent effective from March 12, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 9, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for PTSD and denied for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for PTSD is established based on the Veteran's reported combat-related experiences in Vietnam, while service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not supported by evidence showing continuous hearing impairment since service separation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of alcoholic peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremities as secondary to PTSD was granted. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence to support his claimed stressors. The cervical spine disorder issue remains pending and will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, mood disorder NOS, and bipolar II disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records and a comprehensive VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is insufficient credible supporting evidence to verify her claimed in-service stressors, and thus service connection could not be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD and there is insufficient evidence to support his claimed in-service stressors. As such, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied, and his claims for increased ratings for PTSD were also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service noise exposure leading to current tinnitus, and there was no causal relationship between the Veteran's current PTSD symptoms and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted a rating of 40 percent for her right shoulder disability. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent from January 4, 2011. For the period prior to that date, his PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection, and he is not entitled to a higher rating or TDIU based on his PTSD alone.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective June 18, 2009, excluding periods of hospitalization where a higher rating was assigned.