PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, PTSD with secondary depressive disorder and chronic sleep impairment, and left ankle disability are all granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU starting from March 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, as the current evidence does not provide sufficient information on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the criteria for a temporary total rating based on convalescence following his left knee surgery in June 2011 are not met. The issues of PTSD, right shoulder condition and low back condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since January 14, 2011. The symptoms have resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The criteria for a higher initial rating in excess of 70 percent have not been met.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (schizoaffective disorder). The claims for right shoulder disability, chronic sinusitis, and sleep apnea are being remanded.,Service connection is granted for PTSD based on credible evidence of in-service stressors and current diagnosis. Service connection is also granted for schizoaffective disorder as it appears to be at least as likely as not due to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal is granted as the Board finds that a scar from an appendectomy during service meets the criteria for service connection. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are related to his in-service stressor of witnessing a fellow service member catch fire while working on a vehicle, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that he does not meet criteria for a higher rating. The claims of service connection for bilateral eye disability and residuals of malaria have been reopened due to new evidence submitted since the December 2003 rating decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis linking current symptoms to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal with respect to all issues prior to the Board's decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his combat service and grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the Rating Schedule. The evidence shows that his service-connected PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, PTSD, broken right leg, right heel injury, left heel injury, and bilateral foot discoloration are being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case and scheduling of a travel board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing, which has been rescheduled. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.