PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Veteran was exposed to loud noise during service, but did not exhibit chronic symptoms of tinnitus or continuous symptoms of a lung disability related to herbicide exposure. Tinnitus was not caused by service, while the gastrointestinal disorder is secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression have been denied as his claimed conditions are not related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety are related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service personnel records and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case on his claim for an increased rating for PTSD with associated depression and for additional VA medical opinions to address service connection for cardiovascular disorders.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder without agoraphobia that is as likely as not related to his military service. The Board grants the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, finding it at least as likely as not related to his military service. The Veteran's VA psychiatrists have diagnosed him with PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to evaluate his PTSD, including consideration of his lay assertions regarding suicidal ideation. The case will be readjudicated based on the additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's current diagnosis of DJD of the lumbar spine is presumed to be related to his in-service injury due to falling down stairs during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental health condition.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, but the Board found that this reduction was improper and restored the original 70% rating.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder prior to its decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, and is remanding the issue of service connection for a right lower extremity disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective April 4, 2011. The rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current lower back disability and thus, service connection for this condition is denied. The VA examinations are needed to determine appropriate evaluations for PTSD, left shoulder separation with bursitis, and mild anterolisthesis of the cervical segment of the spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD related to service stressors, and his respiratory condition (asthma) existed prior to service. The appeal for service connection for hemorrhoids was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted due to his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be reopened as there is no new and material evidence to support his claim.