PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish the occurrence of the claimed stressors related to PTSD and that his diabetes mellitus, type II, seizures, and cysts and lesions of the entire body did not have a direct relationship with his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and a mood disorder. Service connection was denied for bilateral knee disabilities and sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The Veteran's claims are supported by credible evidence of in-service noise exposure and stressors. Service connection is also granted for alcohol abuse secondary to the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's DDD and lumbosacral stenosis are currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation for his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has determined that a more contemporaneous VA psychiatric examination is needed to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection effective June 15, 1992. He is currently rated at 70 percent for the period from June 15, 1992 to March 19, 1998.

The Board is denying the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD and hypertension.,The Veteran filed a claim for service connection for 'nerves' in March 1971, which encompassed PTSD. The RO denied this claim by letter in August 1971.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, lung nodules, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder. The claim for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating of 50 percent prior to April 16, 2013. Since then, the symptoms have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board found that the Veteran met the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

Service connection was established for PTSD with anxiety disorder with social phobia. A 70 percent disability rating was assigned effective August 3, 2011. However, the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is warranted due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations, including a PTSD examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent since January 31, 2012. The effective date for this rating is set to that day.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee disability have been evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to atrial fibrillation, valvular heart disease, and other conditions. The VA medical opinion concluded that the service-connected PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.,The criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were not met due to lack of evidence showing continuous total disability rating.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and the Board finds that this condition is related to his service, thus granting service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, requires further development due to unresolved issues regarding in-service stressors and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD has been withdrawn by his representative.