PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for PTSD, but further development is needed to determine if there was a stressor event in service and whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a skin condition (folliculitis), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of current disabilities related to the conditions in question.

The Veteran's claims for an increased PTSD rating, TDIU, and service connection for hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so disabling that he needs regular aid and attendance to dress, feed himself, and protect him from hazards in his daily environment. The Board finds the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors are not corroborated and do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 30 percent, and no issues were raised or decided on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 21, 2012. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability is manifested by an exceptional pattern of hearing loss in the left ear resulting in a Roman Numeral VIII, while his right ear hearing loss resulted in a Roman Number IV at worst.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD or depressive disorder. The evidence of record does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms productive of functional impairment comparable to occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board finds the criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD are met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to address the relationship between his PTSD and alcohol dependence. The issue of entitlement to service connection for alcohol dependence as secondary to service-connected PTSD will be adjudicated again. Additionally, the TDIU claim will also be reconsidered.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to address whether the Veteran's GERD, including his April 2004 GERD diagnosis, was related to service or PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to March 12, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not resulted in more than reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination. The initial rating for PTSD remains under consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent, and service connection for sleep apnea was granted. The decision did not address total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected, with the diagnosis confirmed by a VA psychologist and supported by credible supporting evidence of a claimed in-service stressor. The status of his TBI claim remains pending due to insufficient evidence.