PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated based on the results of this additional examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and diffuse muscle and joint pain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The claim for PTSD is reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. Service connection for cold weather injury to the hands, fingers, legs, toes and feet is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, and the evidence does not show that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a not otherwise specified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's combat-related experiences during active service are sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for further development, including referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. Additional VA treatment records are requested.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression). The loss of sense of taste and smell are also claimed as secondary to his service-connected mandible fracture residuals or due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. His claim is based on his combat experience in Vietnam.,The Veteran claims a loss of sense of taste and smell that he believes is related to his service-connected right ramus and mandible fracture or due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's symptoms caused clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupation, or other important areas of functioning.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination related to the Veteran's PTSD. The issue of TDIU is also being considered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and further examination.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and substance abuse.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records. The issue of service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, particularly regarding his service-connected disabilities prior to January 19, 2012.

All issues are remanded for additional development including obtaining private treatment records and VA medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, skin cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD will be addressed.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of July 30, 2004 for the award of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected hearing loss disability, and the Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims of service connection for vertigo and sleep apnea are remanded as additional medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's vertigo, diabetes, hemorrhoids, PTSD, right leg lesion, costochondritis, GERD, enlarged thyroid, and incontinence have been related to service or service-connected disability. The endometrial polyps are considered incurred during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and posttraumatic stress disorder are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, particularly regarding his employability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining his service personnel records and arranging for a VA examination of his claimed migraines.