PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 40 percent for the service-connected right foot drop, secondary to the right gluteal injury resulting from gunshot wound is denied as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was not granted any effective date earlier than August 22, 2013.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder had its onset in service and the Board finds that the criteria for establishing entitlement to service connection have been met.

The Veteran's appeal concerning a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's left clavicle disability is rated at 10 percent, and his PTSD claim was denied. The decision on the PTSD issue is mixed as it granted one issue but denied another.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the award of service connection, and the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted based on his symptoms.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. The decision is based on the merits of the claim without any presumption or secondary linkage to a previously service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the appellant's local RO.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have aggravated his hypertension, which contributed to the development of an abdominal aneurysm that caused his death. The appeal for TDIU, diabetes service connection, and increased PTSD rating has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have caused moderate impairment to social functioning, but not severe enough for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a rating no higher than 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, as secondary to herbicide exposure, is denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating. The claim for higher ratings remains viable as the disability is potentially eligible for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have originated during his period of active duty and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left knee disability, and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence to verify in-service stressors and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's petition to reopen this claim is granted.