PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated treatment records. The TDIU claim will be deferred until the increased rating claim is decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, pes planus, and tremors (claimed as Parkinson's disease), finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or an in-service injury or event. The Board also found insufficient competent medical evidence to establish aggravation of pes planus during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his service experience in Beirut, Lebanon. Service connection for this condition is granted.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with migraine headaches and these are considered incurred during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims for increased disability ratings for PTSD and hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression, panic disorder with agoraphobia, schizophrenia, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum from a VA examiner to address the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding ongoing symptoms since service discharge.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders present during service, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to October 12, 2009. The claim for TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible, verified or verifiable noncombat-related in-service stressor on which a diagnosis of PTSD can be based. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to the lack of evidence showing the Veteran is rendered unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for schizoid personality disorder and remanded his remaining claims due to inadequate examination in the August 2011 VA mental disorders examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with depression was denied, as the evidence did not show clear and unmistakable error in a 1971 rating decision.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied because there is no service-connected condition to which it can be linked.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied. The claims for an increased initial rating for PTSD, entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability, and entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression and ADD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and panic disorder without agoraphobia, are found to be related to his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety is denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis related to his active service or any service-connected condition. His erectile dysfunction was not determined to be secondary to his service-connected prostatitis. As such, the Veteran's SMC claim based on loss of use of a creative organ is also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as non-compensable, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. The issues of service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), and eczema are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of bilateral inguinal hernias status post herniorrhaphy, including residual scars, are rated at 10 percent. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression and PTSD).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's depressive disorder and alcohol consumption during service.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is manifested by symptoms productive of functional impairment comparable to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a disability rating of 50 percent.