PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss were denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran needs an examination to determine if his current mental health conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, asthma, left shoulder disorder, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are met.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether his erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Board determines that service connection should be granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, adjustment disorder and PTSD, due to the evidence showing symptoms during active duty and continuity of symptomatology since retirement.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claim of entitlement to an increased disability rating for PTSD is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are related to his military service.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability. However, further development is required as the diagnoses of PTSD are inadequate for purposes of determining service connection due to lack of verified stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling from December 4, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports this rating as it reflects significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and to obtain a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder that may be present.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of stressors and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, with the effective date set at December 17, 2013. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis prior to June 2002.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted effective February 23, 2011. From August 20, 2013 onwards, the Veteran is entitled to a 70 percent disability rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's cause of death was a motor vehicle accident, not related to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for total disability for at least ten years prior to his death and he was not a former POW.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore cannot establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for MDD, GAD and PTSD have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for PTSD, MDD and GAD.