PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for dysthymic disorder, claimed as depression; type 2 diabetes mellitus; and seizure disorder are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA medical examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD symptoms and clarification on whether he wants a hearing.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's participation in recovery and cleanup efforts during his active duty service is a stressor related to his PTSD. The remaining issues of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen prior claims for various conditions, as well as entitlement to increased disability ratings, are remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The rating reduction of the evaluation of disc protrusions at L4-L5 and L5-S1 with mass effect on the right S1 nerve root from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective July 1, 2014, is also remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's combat experiences in both the Republic of Vietnam and Southwest Asia have led to a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to differentiate the effects of his service-connected anxiety disorder from any nonservice-connected mental disorders.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU. The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including suicidal thoughts, hypervigilance, social isolation, and mood swings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as well as residuals of a right ankle disability, were denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and ADHD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claims for a seizure disorder (secondary to alcohol abuse) and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional medical evidence. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability and an increased rating for right shoulder bursitis will be reconsidered by the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional information and possibly a VA examination. The issues of service connection for anxiety, depression, and PTSD are under review.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent disabling since December 16, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity due to PTSD have not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was originally filed on May 5, 1981. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at May 5, 1981, but no earlier.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for PTSD, and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the PTSD claim. The right ankle and knee disability claims were denied, as new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim, and there is no causal relationship between service and these disabilities. Hearing loss and tinnitus claims are pending.

The Veteran's combined disability rating was sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ankle sprain with arthralgia. The Board found that these conditions precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation. The issues of increased evaluations for low back strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, service connection for a left knee disability, and TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board found that the Veteran engaged in combat and thus applied a relaxed standard of proof for service connection. However, there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or a link between any in-service stressor and the diagnosed condition.