PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that the Veteran's lay testimony regarding his combat experience in Iraq is sufficient to establish the occurrence of any claimed stressors. The Veteran was diagnosed with chronic PTSD by a licensed professional counselor who evaluated him based on his combat service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied service connection for PTSD. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including sleep apnea as secondary to such disorders, is also addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 100 percent disability rating since December 18, 2009. As the Veteran is already receiving a 100 percent schedular rating for his service-connected PTSD, he cannot also be granted TDIU due to this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since the date of his claim, effective March 2012.,The Veteran's CAD and diabetes mellitus are both rated at 60% prior to January 17, 2012, and thereafter at 30%. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20%, and tinnitus at 10%. Bilateral hearing loss has no compensable rating.,The Veteran was granted service connection for erectile dysfunction with SMC effective January 17, 2012. He also received service connection for sternotomy scar and coronary artery disease effective August 20, 2010.,Service connection is granted for B-cell Leukemia as due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange). Service connection is denied for chlorance and soft tissue sarcoma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD related to service. A personality disorder is also not a disease or injury within the meaning of VA regulations.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed stressor, involving exposure to insects in Panama, could not be verified. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence of record corroborating the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The Board determined that the evidence received since the February 2005 rating decision is not 'new' and 'material' as contemplated by 38 C.F.R. § 3.156(a) and provides no basis to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

PTSD was not manifested by total occupational and social impairment during the periods of evaluation, but did meet criteria for a 70% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum opinion from the March 2012 VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's dementia and whether his lay statements constitute 'fear of hostile military or terrorist activity' that would establish a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking his currently diagnosed bipolar disorder to service. The preponderance of the evidence supports the denial of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic fatigue, and a sleep disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain regular substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been granted service connection and rated at 20 percent effective November 25, 2008. The other issues have not been resolved.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at December 19, 1995, the date he first applied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, and the effective date is set at July 23, 1991.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the lower back pain, cervical spine condition, and hypertension claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting a social and industrial survey.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted as of May 29, 2009 due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted.