PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his claimed PTSD and acquired psychiatric conditions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of current tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for PTSD, with symptoms consistent with moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's spouse was added as a dependent effective August 31, 2010, the date of his service-connected coronary artery disease award. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a mental health examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial evaluation and earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not file a claim prior to July 26, 2000, for service connection of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including verification of periods of federalized service and stressor events. The Veteran's claims for PTSD with depression, erectile dysfunction, and voiding dysfunction are being reviewed.

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for PTSD and denied any increase in the rating for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, while his diabetes mellitus remains at its current 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD based on his claimed in-service stressor and therefore service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective October 20, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 2013, effective December 1, 2005. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted for the disability.,Since August 17, 2010, the Veteran's service-connected PTSD has precluded substantially gainful employment due to its severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. A psychiatric examination will be conducted to determine the current severity of her service-connected back disability and whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to her active service or aggravated by her service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted due to the occurrence of a reported in-service stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, and his lay testimony alone confirms this stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, as his in-service stressor is considered credible and related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The claim for a back disability remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been assigned a rating of 70 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as near continuous panic, impaired impulse control, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are all service-connected. The decision is based on credible evidence of current disabilities and a link to service.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his military service, specifically his presence at the Pentagon on 9/11. As a result, the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 12, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating due to increased social and occupational impairment.

The Board has expanded the issue on appeal to include entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran claims service connection for anxiety and depression as secondary to his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, cystic acne, and epidermal inclusions. He also claims service connection for PTSD based on a reported in-service personal assault. Additional development is needed to verify the stressor event and obtain relevant records.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned an effective date of September 27, 1995. The Veteran's claim was based on a stressor related to a tank accident during active duty in Germany.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, including from Vet Center treatment. A VA examination is also needed to assess his left foot disability.