PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's statements and testimony regarding in-service noise exposure are credible. The appeal of PTSD was withdrawn prior to decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and provide opinions regarding the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 2, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms of frequent panic attacks, social isolation, poor concentration, and depressed mood meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 15, 2006. He is also entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for coronary artery disease was granted in July 2011 with an effective date of March 15, 2006. The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for both the grant of service connection and Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been shown to have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating higher than the current 30 percent.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 13, 2005 for the assignment of a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since October 17, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran had total occupational and social impairment due to his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine if his hypertension is related to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for a 100 percent rating for PTSD prior to August 27, 2002 is dismissed as the issue was fully addressed by the Board in January 2010 and cannot be challenged.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for hemorrhoidectomy and for reopening his previously denied PTSD, heart attack, stroke, breathing treatments/COPD, and anal reconstruction claims. The Veteran did not appeal these decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fatal cerebrovascular accident was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cold weather injuries. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for fatigue, numbness, and light-headedness are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a disability due to undiagnosed illness or chronic multisymptom illness. The Board finds that his joint aches are related to DJD, which is not considered a presumptive disease under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.,The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as the evidence does not establish whether he has a current disability or if it is related to his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and tension headaches, effectively dismissing the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the Veteran's inability to attend his scheduled hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a vocational rehabilitation file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development and to schedule the necessary VA examinations. The issues include claims for increased ratings for PTSD, head trauma/TBI, IBS/GERD, and service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.