PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a 100% rating for hearing loss and a 30% rating for PTSD, prevent him from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to an undeliverable notice of a scheduled Travel Board hearing, and the Veteran's attorney requested a delay in the hearing because he could not locate the Veteran. The case is now being returned for rescheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to medical reasons preventing his scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be processed again after the rescheduled hearing.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, a low back disability, and respiratory disorder to include COPD and asbestos lung disease were denied as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD, and another VA examination to assess whether his current hypertension was caused or aggravated by herbicide exposure.

The Board has found that further development is needed for VA to fulfill its duties to notify and assist, including obtaining SSA records and securing all relevant treatment records. The Veteran's hepatitis C claim will be remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his military service. His PTSD and major depressive disorder rating and TDIU claims will also be remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence. However, it denied service connection for depression as there is no competent evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The TDIU claim is also being considered as it is intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board also found that he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD disability. The case will be adjudicated again after this additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and PTSD. This includes obtaining updated treatment records, verifying the Veteran's reported stressors, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining new VA examinations and obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether his current psychiatric condition is related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was granted, resulting in a rating of 70 percent effective April 24, 2006. The decision also addressed the payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The rating reflects significant impairment in social and occupational functioning due to symptoms such as difficulty with work relationships, anxiety, and auditory hallucinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea remains inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have had its onset during service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and issuing a statement of the case for increased evaluations for inguinal hernia and painful burn scar of the left upper extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depression disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling since April 24, 2006. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and grants a TDIU effective from April 24, 2006.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and granted. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were withdrawn prior to the decision.