PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board's consideration, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, finding that the Veteran's current sleep impairment and mental health issues are related to his military service. The claim for a sleep disorder is reopened.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disorder, including degenerative arthritis of the right hip, has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, TBI residuals, migraines, vertigo, cervical disorder, and shoulder disorders have been granted. However, the claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, mood disorder, and psychotic disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is productive of occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% rating. The Board also granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due solely to his service-connected PTSD, and therefore meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD were found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating, effective July 14, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and schizophrenia is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his reported stressors and treatment records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the initial rating for PTSD, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a seizure disorder due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to an in-service personal assault, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in a need for aid and attendance prior to September 30, 2010, granting an earlier effective date.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a link between current hearing loss and service.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, which the Board finds is related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the AOJ for readjudication in compliance with directives specified by a Joint Motion for Remand. The Board granted the Veteran a TDIU effective September 17, 2013, and referred a claim of entitlement to service connection for a neurocognitive disorder to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Veteran's Vet Center records and scheduling a VA examination. The claim will be adjudicated based on the evidence in the claims file if the Veteran does not report for the scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent prior to January 8, 2015, and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The current rating of 70 percent is maintained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including scheduling a video conference hearing.