PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's assertions of service in Vietnam are not credible, and there is no evidence to support a finding that he served there. As such, the Board finds that his acquired psychiatric disorders were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and tinnitus are granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's conditions arose during active service, including from combat experiences and exposure to loud noises.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hepatitis C, a pulmonary disorder, skin cancer, hives, and prostate disorder were denied as the evidence does not support a diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection. The Board also found ischemic heart disease is not currently supported by the evidence, and TDIU remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU will be reconsidered after this process.

The Veteran is entitled to a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective from the date of death (March 2008), based on his symptoms and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder has been granted.,There is no final decision regarding the issue of CUE in a September 1971 rating decision denying service connection for chronic anxiety state. The Board will remand this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling, effective August 19, 2010. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling conflicts for a Board hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are still pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a higher initial disability rating of 30 percent for the period from June 20, 2012 to March 14, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private mental health treatment records and a VA PTSD examination to assess the nature and extent of his PTSD and mood disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, mood disorder, and depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his verified service in Vietnam and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has caused occasional impairment in work efficiency and social functioning, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher initial rating. The current disability level does not meet the criteria for a 50% or higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board finds that she meets the criteria for a TDIU due to her service-connected PTSD.