PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board found that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran has a psychiatric disability, to include major depression, adjustment disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and PTSD that is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is not related to his service and therefore denied the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that the earliest possible effective date provided by law is November 15, 2005.

The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to service or a service-connected disability, for which service connection has already been established.,Prostate cancer was not incurred in or as a result of service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.,Glaucoma is not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to April 27, 2012 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or total disability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board or videoconference hearing. The issue of evaluating PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a travel board hearing. The claims of increased rating, service connection for right thigh scar, mild allergic rhinitis, and PTSD are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits information and VA treatment records. The TDIU claim is also before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims of increased rating for her service-connected right knee disability and new issues of PTSD, a right shoulder disability, and a left hip disability. The RO has not issued an SOC on these matters. The case is REMANDED to obtain updated VA examination and treatment records, issue an SOC, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression disability became factually ascertainable and warranting a 100% rating as of January 5, 2010. The effective date for the assignment of this rating is set at August 4, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely related to his active service, and grants service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is granted as well.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety, is rated at 50 percent effective July 30, 2012. The gastroesophageal reflux disease remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis has been granted a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the decision. The issues regarding PTSD and erectile dysfunction remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's request for a hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to her military service, specifically a sexual assault she experienced while in service. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for panic disorder and PTSD without agoraphobia, as well as his claim for service connection for alcoholism. The appeals are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for additional development of records.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas prior to November 24, 2008. However, the preponderance of evidence during this period showed that his PTSD did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD due to in-service stressors related to his fear of hostile military activity during his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The current evaluation of his cervical spine disability is 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.