PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to clarify his psychiatric diagnosis and obtain a medical nexus opinion regarding the relationship between his acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and service. Additionally, an examination for rheumatoid arthritis will be arranged.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his alleged exposure to Agent Orange and to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature of his psychiatric, diabetes, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, adrenal gland tumor, and prostate disability claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has current diagnoses of PTSD and Depression, and whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination using DSM-IV criteria, and to confirm his current address.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records and additional development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since the examination, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraines, depression, hypertension, gout, and hepatitis C are related to his active duty service. The Veteran's PTSD is not supported by evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% since January 22, 2010. The reduction in evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from 20% to 10% effective October 1, 2013, is restored. TDIU due to PTSD and SMC at the housebound rate are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, psychotic disorder NOS, and bipolar disorder NOS, had their onset during military service and are otherwise etiologically related to his military service. After applying the benefit of doubt, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 40% since June 30, 2010 and increased to 50% effective August 29, 2015. His PTSD is currently rated at 30%. Both conditions have been granted.,PTSD symptoms include occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical addendum and further development to determine if sleep apnea is secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as his current symptoms are related to his active-duty service and not his years of substance abuse.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of higher initial staged rating(s) for service-connected PTSD, currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling from January 13, 2004 through September 19, 2004, 100 percent from September 20, 2004 through October 31, 2004, 50 percent from November 1, 2004 through June 28, 2015, and as 70 percent disabling from June 29, 2015.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues, including the ones related to hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal for PTSD evaluation is also dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and remanded it for further development.

The Veteran's claim for additional dependency benefits was granted with an effective date of December 1, 1995.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.