PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to unclear evidence regarding his employability and the need for additional examination.

The Board has determined that a VA psychiatric examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service records do not indicate treatment for a psychiatric condition during his active duty, but he alleges exposure to abuse prior to enlistment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA mental disorders examination to address whether service-connected bilateral hearing loss caused or aggravated his psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and psoriasis are both granted. Service connection is established for PTSD due to in-service combat stressors, and for psoriasis which began during service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and granted service connection based on new evidence provided by the Veteran. The lung condition issue is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's laryngeal cancer and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) did not have onset in service or are otherwise related to his active military service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a blood disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for the blood disorder has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to March 17, 2010 resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as obsessional rituals, impaired impulse control, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish effective relationships. The disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional VA treatment records, an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, a new VA examination to address the current severity of his PTSD, and adjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is granted, with the effective date set at September 19, 1995.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease prior to May 1, 2009 was withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been productive of occupational and social impairment that approximates disability manifested by deficiencies in the areas of work, family relations, thinking, or mood. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling effective May 19, 2012. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from May 19, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining confirmation of in-service stressors and a psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder was caused by service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by a depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, a flattened affect, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities, and impaired impulse control. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD and has also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least in part due to military sexual trauma. Service connection was also granted for bilateral hearing loss and pes planus (fallen arches).

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim remains pending as further development is needed. The psychiatric disorder claim also remains pending due to insufficient evidence of record.