PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated as totally disabling since September 22, 2000. As the effective date of this rating is earlier than the date of his death in April 2005, he meets the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and psychiatric treatment records. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, headaches, and depression were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and whether such disorders are related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, that is attributable to her active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to June 18, 2007. From June 18, 2007, to May 21, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD warranted a 30 percent rating. Since May 22, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 70 percent disabling.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors have not been corroborated and his psychiatric disorder is not otherwise related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of mild osteoarthritis is related to his in-service injury. Service connection for PTSD was not addressed due to a procedural issue.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, leaving no issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, fingernail and toenail disabilities, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), a neck disability, a back disability, bilateral knee disability, sinusitis, and skin disability are denied. The Veteran is granted service connection for flat feet.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The increased rating claim for the cervical spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The issues include service connection for various psychiatric conditions, chronic pneumonitis, LBBB, ulcerative colitis, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the Nashville, Tennessee RO. The issues include service connection claims and reopening of a diabetes claim.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus, which are of a common etiology, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of service-connected PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to cause significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50% from June 2, 2011, through November 14, 2012. From November 15, 2012, the rating increased to 70%. The initial ratings were granted based on the severity of symptoms.