PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of frostbite of upper extremities, or peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities. However, the Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence warranted a 70% rating since June 20, 2013.

The Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that his TDIU request should be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination for PTSD and issuance of a statement of the case regarding cataracts.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 12, 2015, and increased to 30 percent effective May 29, 2008. From March 12, 2015, the rating for PTSD was increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for prostate, low back, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran is granted service connection for PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Disturbances of Mood and Anxiety, both diagnosed as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by severe occupational and social impairment prior to March 2, 2011, with symptoms such as avoidance of people and crowds, impaired impulse control, irritability and agitation, depression and anxiety, self-medication with drugs and alcohol, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, impaired concentration and memory, anhedonia, distrust of others, visual hallucinations, and suicidal and homicidal ideations. The Veteran's symptoms prior to March 2, 2011 more nearly approximated a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease and PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left knee disability or an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD, including anxiety, panic attacks and depression, was incurred in service and granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed PTSD is related to in-service stressors and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board is remanding the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression and alcohol abuse caused or aggravated his sleep apnea, including whether his unwillingness to use his CPAP machine due to claustrophobia has aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or depression related to service and denied his claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with a history of substance abuse was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support an earlier effective date based on either final denial or new and material evidence, as the Veteran did not have PTSD prior to April 12, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, a heart disorder, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.,All three conditions are now considered service connected due to their association with PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's in-service experiences meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The status of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD is unknown.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined nature.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual employability (TDIU) prior to August 25, 2008 is being remanded for further development and consideration under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b).

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding an increased rating for PTSD due to withdrawal. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea syndrome was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and his TDIU claim are both being addressed.