PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate analysis and failure to provide a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, but the Board found that no such condition was related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for adjudication of the claim for TDIU, and the Veteran is advised to provide additional evidence if necessary.

The Board found no diagnosis of PTSD based on any claimed stressor or fear of hostile military activity. The Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy, and there is no credible evidence corroborating any of his alleged in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and his carotid artery disease does not warrant a separate compensable rating.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examination and notification regarding service treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 19, 2012. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as flattened affect, impaired judgment, difficulty establishing effective relationships, and near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted. The Veteran's left hip avascular necrosis claim was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for a new VA examination. The issues include increased rating for PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as service connection for CFS.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, rendered him unable to follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 6, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability has been dismissed as the RO granted service connection in December 2012. The remaining claims of increased ratings for knee, wrist, PTSD and migraine headaches are being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of separation from military service in November 2008. His right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have not been found to be related to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims regarding an earlier effective date for PTSD and service connection of sleep apnea. The issues were addressed in a November 2003 dismissal, which was not appealed by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressor of witnessing people getting killed or beaten up in Egypt is consistent with fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and his symptoms are related to this event. The Veteran was also granted an initial non-compensable rating for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD prior to October 22, 2014 was denied. However, a higher rating of 70 percent since that date has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, scar of the left inner arm, and PTSD) alone were found to be of such severity as to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any gainful employment between July 9, 2009, and his death in December 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be less disabling than the assigned 30 percent rating prior to June 4, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective May 31, 2007. He was granted a TDIU prior to September 13, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, PTSD, and right wrist were withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing.