PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to verify his current address and reschedule him for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, as required for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to June 14, 2014. Since June 14, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.,PTSD is related to combat stressors, including witnessing the death of a serviceman.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection, effective dates, and CUE motions. The appeal seeking an earlier effective date prior to October 30, 1992, for the grant of service connection for PTSD was dismissed as a matter of law. The March 1993 rating decision was found to have been clearly and unmistakably erroneous in not assigning an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to June 10, 2013. The disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to an unadjudicated issue of service connection for glaucoma, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right chronic Achilles tendonitis, cervical spine disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression), migraine headaches, radiculopathy, and thoracic outlet syndrome was granted with an effective date of September 28, 2009.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its associated complications, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and/or PTSD), have not been found to be related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder without agoraphobia, is at least as likely as not related to his service. The VA examiner opined that these conditions developed in response to his series of traumatic experiences while in service.

The Veteran's PTSD, right foot disorder, and eating disorder have been granted service connection. The left foot disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The issues are whether he has service connection for PTSD and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's skin condition, including chloracne, is not service-connected due to lack of a current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to his active duty. The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has declined to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and schizophrenia. New evidence submitted since the last denial does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate either claim, but some of the new evidence may raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating one or both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining post-service medical records and providing new examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD, finding that such was warranted only from June 14, 2010. The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for pseudogout has been dismissed as the issue is moot due to a prior grant of service connection under different terminology.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination to determine if hypertension is secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease and/or posttraumatic stress disorder, and for consideration of a secondary etiological relationship between hypertension and PTSD.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, and his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.