PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease s/p stent placement, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of her TDIU claim.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than chronic adjustment disorder. The Board finds no indication in the record that his service connection for residuals of a TBI includes any psychiatric disability.,There is no evidence showing a current diagnosis of right hand burns or their residuals. The Veteran's pre-service injury healed without complications and did not cause any ongoing issues.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral pes planus. His service entry examination noted the presence of bilateral pes planus, but there is no indication in the record that it worsened during his active duty service or caused any residuals.,There is no evidence showing a current diagnosis of left femur fracture or its residuals. The Veteran's pre-service injury was not aggravated by his military service and he does not have ongoing symptoms related to this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD has been granted, and the effective date of service connection for PTSD remains October 18, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied as the earliest effective date is December 29, 2010.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to the effects of his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and tinea versicolor. As a result, he has been granted a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The appeal is not about service connection, but rather the appropriate disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but generally functioning satisfactorily. The preponderance of the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to January 25, 2013. As of that date, the disability rating was increased to 70 percent effective December 7, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymia has been rated at 70 percent since January 10, 2010. The Board found that the disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the maximum schedular rating for tinnitus has been assigned, and his PTSD did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on in-service stressors and credible supporting evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating for PTSD in excess of 30 percent prior to July 6, 2012, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder results in significant impairment, including work and social functioning issues. The VA has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil with metastasis to the left neck and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for further consideration due to incomplete records from his VA medical treatment in Danville, Illinois. The issues of service connection for bipolar disorder and substance abuse, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, are pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which included a total knee replacement, was rated at 30 percent. The right knee disability was found to be secondary to the service-connected left knee disability and granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD and back disability were also granted.