PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding his service-connected PTSD, as well as potential aggravation of substance abuse by PTSD.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claims of military sexual trauma and denied service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and a depressive disorder, was denied. The claims for hypertension, Alzheimer's disease (claimed as dementia), ischemic heart disease, and SMC based on aid and attendance were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA examination and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied, as December 30, 2002 is considered the earliest date of petition to reopen his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a retrospective TDIU opinion.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied because her account of events that occurred during VA treatment on February 27, 2006 is not credible.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the claim.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various psychiatric conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue with his requested hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor. The effective date for the TDIU is being remanded as there was a disagreement with the assigned effective date.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals for impotence, PTSD, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to September 21, 2009. The Board finds that his symptoms are most closely reflected by the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and scar disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, as he has a combined rating of 70% for these conditions. The Board finds that his PTSD alone does not render him unemployable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, low back disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's PTSD and skin disorder were granted initial ratings of 30 percent and 30 percent, respectively. Service connection for bilateral UE mono-neuropathy and weakness/fatigue/joint/muscle pain symptoms was also granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset in service and the Board finds that it meets the criteria for service connection. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, are remanded.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), alcoholism, and hepatitis C were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not show that his condition warrants a higher rating.