PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent. The claim for an increased rating was granted.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing. The primary issues are seeking an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that no intent to file a claim existed prior to April 26, 2012.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective February 27, 2010 due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression is related to his active service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to evidence suggesting a worsening of the Veteran's PTSD and inextricably intertwined issues regarding TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case to attempt to locate a lay statement from Reverend R. H. Hale, which may be pertinent to both the PTSD and TDIU claims. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to January 26, 2009 is inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, she is employed and content with her job, so entitlement to a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, while left ear hearing loss and gastritis (claimed as GERD) are not. The Veteran was granted increased ratings for post-concussive headaches and PTSD.,PTSD benefits were granted only for the period from June 15, 2009 to September 23, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her psychiatric disability, throat swelling/earaches, painful gums and teeth, and IBS. The rating for IBS is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling and TDIU was granted effective September 21, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 29, 2008.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, MDD, anxiety disorder NOS, GAD, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD based on in-service stressors or a finding that any diagnosed conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 14, 2014. The earlier periods of increased disability have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is denied as there was no credible evidence supporting his claim, including a lack of in-service hallucinations or symptoms related to such condition.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of the VA opinion and any other necessary development regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including a diagnosis and whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, was reopened and granted. Service connection for PTSD and major depression were also granted. The Veteran's claims for stomach condition (claimed as a distended stomach), gingivitis, and gout were denied. Initial ratings greater than 60 percent prior to July 22, 2008, for coronary artery disease (CAD) were granted.