PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with anxiety and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted service connection, but his PTSD claim is denied. He is also found eligible for VA treatment due to his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 30 percent disability rating, effective July 26, 2012. The appeal for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating is denied.

The Veteran's left eye disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and headaches are not service-connected as they were either not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reported stressor in service and for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders his vocational goal infeasible for continued vocational rehabilitation and training.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation as they are consistent with occupational and social impairment with mild to moderate deficiencies in family relations, social isolation, and lack of motivation for occupational activity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no current left knee disability, and the Veteran's deviated nasal septum was not manifested by complete obstruction on one side or 100% obstruction of both sides. For PTSD, the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating. For bilateral hearing loss, there was no evidence of more than Level II hearing in either ear.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the evidence of record places the evidence, at minimum, in equipoise regarding the question of whether the Veteran has PTSD which is related to his military service under the new PTSD regulation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and BPH are found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss as it is at least as likely as not that the condition was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was reopened but remained denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no presumption of exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 11, 2009. He also meets the criteria for a TDIU as of this date.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and right shoulder disability ratings remain unchanged, but the Board has ordered additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder, are not causally related to his active duty service. The evidence did not demonstrate a nexus between any diagnosed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective July 13, 2010. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to an earlier effective date of July 13, 2010.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise on all material elements of this claim, including whether the Veteran's psychiatric condition first had its onset during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (variously diagnosed as panic disorder, anxiety, and PTSD) is granted.