PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address service connection claims for a low back disability and variously diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD. The Veteran's accounts of stressors in service will be verified, and medical opinions will be obtained regarding the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was withdrawn by the appellant in March 2010. The remaining issues are remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the St. Petersburg, Florida RO.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 27, 2001, for the grant of service connection for anxiety with PTSD has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The claims related to bronchial asthma and sleep apnea are still pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, left ankle sprain, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep disturbance are all found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus began during his active military service and is related to noise exposure. The other claims have been dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a 3-way Board video-conference hearing. Service connection claims for PTSD and second degree burns are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since December 2, 2008. A 50 percent rating for PTSD is granted effective March 7, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50%, and his scar behind the left ear is noncompensable. His combined rating is 50%. The criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) are not met. However, he may be eligible for an extraschedular TDIU due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his PTSD symptoms and their impact on his ability to function, as well as to obtain relevant medical records. The Appellant seeks a higher evaluation for her spouse's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for a low back disability. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. A new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of PTSD and determine if fibromyalgia is related to PTSD or another condition.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA medical records and conducting a Social and Industrial Survey.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and irritable bowel syndrome have been denied. The Board found no current disability or symptoms of either condition, and thus could not establish a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 100 percent disabling since October 23, 2012. Prior to that date, the Veteran was not granted a higher initial rating for his PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD due to military sexual trauma is not service-connected as there was no evidence of such a condition during her active duty, and she did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection. The hypertension claim also failed to meet the required service connection criteria.

The Veteran's claim for independent living services was denied as her need for piano lessons and lessons is not considered necessary to improve her independence in daily living.