PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD to include anxiety and depression disorders is currently rated at 50 percent, effective July 9, 2014. The appeal for a higher initial rating has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred or aggravated in active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reports of in-service stressors are credible and have established service connection for PTSD. The Veteran also has residuals of a TBI, which is considered a direct service connection as there was no presumption or secondary relationship involved.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder that is etiologically related to her active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD due to alleged military sexual trauma, and a bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his previously denied hookworm/parasitic disease and diabetes mellitus type II issues.

The Veteran's cognitive impairment and other residuals of TBI not otherwise classified are currently rated at 70 percent disabling since January 18, 2011.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling since June 15, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, is granted. The decision is based on a finding of direct service connection without any presumption or secondary relationship to a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's claim for retroactive additional compensation benefits for his son as a dependent child was denied because the required information was not provided within the one-year time limit set by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of May 5, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and higher ratings for bilateral pes planus are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board hearing in connection with his claims of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a VA-defined disability. The claim of an initial evaluation for PTSD from February 11, 2009, is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the period from January 7 to 30, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a medical opinion on whether sleep apnea is related to service and/or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, malunion fracture of the right femur, proximal right tibia osteomyelitis, residual scar of a shell fragment wound to the left side of the left leg and multiple residual scars from multiple shell fragment wounds to the shoulders, left forearm and lower extremities have been rated based on their current manifestations. The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been granted an increased rating to 50% effective prior to November 27, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is attributable to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue regarding an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including intrusive memories and avoidance behaviors, have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 70 percent rating are met.