PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD with obsessive compulsive disorder and alcohol dependence in remission, and another VA examination to determine if he has erectile dysfunction secondary to medication used to treat his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a DRO hearing and readjudication of the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted and assigned a 50 percent evaluation effective November 8, 2008. A subsequent increased rating to 70 percent was granted as of February 19, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for higher initial evaluations for PTSD, scars of the right wrist and left elbow, shrapnel wound residuals in multiple locations, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals were based on service connection being decided on the merits.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the grant of service connection, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, employment records, and a vocational rehabilitation examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his symptoms meet the criteria for PTSD and are related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as secondary to PTSD. The Board granted a 70% rating for PTSD, effective December 20, 2004, and granted TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities. The claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and opinions regarding his psychiatric disorders, heart conditions, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent rating, diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent, bilateral cataracts remain at 10 percent, and headaches are rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 1, 2005, to September 26, 2011. The appeal is for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in social and occupational impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the April 2012 rating decision, and a TDIU rating was granted effective January 5, 2011.,An earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is not warranted as the first communication from the Veteran to VA regarding this claim occurred on August 25, 2010.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD, including evaluating whether his alcohol dependence is secondary to his PTSD. The case will be returned to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, PTSD, and aortic stenosis are not related to service. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disease (coronary artery disease), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). The claim for sinusitis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's underlying cause of death, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, was related to service and the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an adjustment disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her experiences and treatment during her third deployment. Service connection for PTSD remains pending as there is no diagnosis of PTSD in the record.