PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain, right wrist sprain, left wrist injury residuals, and postoperative residuals of a fracture of the left ankle are all rated at 10 percent. The Veteran is granted increased ratings to 20 percent for his mechanical low back pain from July 31, 2014.

The Veteran's death was within the one-year period during which he could have filed a notice of disagreement (NOD) for his claims. However, no NOD was filed and the appellant did not file any documents indicating an intent to appeal or disagree with the September 2011 rating decision prior to her husband's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings for his bilateral knee disorder, COPD, tinea pedis, sinusitis, and PTSD. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to warrant a rating of 70 percent since November 8, 2013, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, manifested by anxiety and PTSD, was granted a 70 percent rating from October 8, 2009 to October 7, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent, effective from May 27, 2009. The claims for service connection for bilateral knee pain and hypertension have been reopened due to new evidence received since the final denial of these claims in November 1979 and December 1999 respectively.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include insomnia, due to service. The preponderance of evidence showed these conditions manifested years after service and were not related to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 24, 2014. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms such as anxiety, depression, nightmares, intrusive memories, panic attacks, flashbacks, avoidance behavior, sleep impairment, irritability, anger outbursts, concentration problems, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, diminished interest, feelings of detachment, occasional suicidal ideation, and auditory/visual hallucinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and attempting to verify stressors. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board denied a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be metastatic testicular cancer, which the VA medical opinion found not related to service-connected conditions or any presumptive exposure. The Board denied all claims as there was no evidence that a service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal concerning service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of skin disability has been reopened. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective July 25, 2007. Other issues remain pending and are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with other issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, a low back disorder, and hypertension due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service. The gastrointestinal disability claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous examination and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and asking the Veteran to provide or identify any relevant medical records. The appeal will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Specifically, new examinations are required to address whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including seeking clarification on SSA benefits and clarifying the in-service stressor related to PTSD. A VA examination will also be scheduled to address his back and hip claims.