PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted, and he is now entitled to TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, are found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied due to lack of evidence of in-service Vietnam service. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received, but denied the claim on the merits as the stressor did not meet the criteria for a fear of hostile military or terrorist activity under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3). Service connection for schizophrenia was granted based on direct service connection. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 30 percent rating for pes planus is denied as it was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to his August 2011 claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is currently rated at 30 percent prior to August 28, 2013. Since that date, the rating has been increased to 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, residuals of shell fragment wounds to the chest, and recurrent tinnitus as these conditions are presumed related to his active service due to combat involvement.

The Veteran is found to be unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected PTSD and other conditions, resulting in a finding of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including service connection for PTSD and other conditions. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO via videoconference.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service and fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings due to missing VA treatment records and the need to consider new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension, sleep apnea, and a neck disability. The claim for hearing loss was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from November 21, 2003, but his TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his hypertension and PTSD, as well as any possible herbicide exposure. Additionally, clarification of the Veteran's intent with respect to his October 2010 statement for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for GERD, an increased rating for PTSD, and a TDIU prior to November 29, 2012 have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, as evidenced by his symptoms of difficulty falling asleep, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and detachment from others. The VA examiner noted a GAF score of 55.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an opinion regarding whether his polysubstance dependence is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 19, 2010. The appeal is pending for a higher rating or an effective date prior to that.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal on the issues of reopening a claim for PTSD and entitlement to service connection for COPD. As such, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these matters.