PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran was previously denied service connection in June 1998 and new evidence has been submitted raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating of 70 percent. Service connection for the other conditions was granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions. The evidence now shows a link between her military sexual trauma and these disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnoses of PTSD and depressive disorder are related to his in-service stressors, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is related to service and the Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the Veteran's increased rating claims for PTSD, hernia residuals, TBI, and headaches are remanded due to outstanding evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depression has been granted, and the effective date remains March 10, 2006. The appeal regarding a prior effective date for service connection for PTSD is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his combat experiences in service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need to obtain his Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the complex medical issues raised in this case, including whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's PTSD was diagnosed as early as 1974, and the Board finds that an effective date of April 3, 1990, is warranted for his service connection.

The Board previously denied a higher initial rating for PTSD and found that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU was not on appeal. The Court later ruled that this issue should be remanded, but by the time of the decision summary, the RO had already granted a TDIU effective February 4, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle strain, right foot disability, and left thumb injury have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each. The acquired psychiatric disorder remains in dispute.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to September 15, 2009 and granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been evaluated at a 70 percent rating since February 25, 2015. The Board found that the disability picture does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent.

For the period prior to February 9, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD has been productive of sleep impairment, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, nightmares, hypervigilance, depression, anger problems, avoidant behavior, a flattened affect, and difficulty with social interactions. This resulted in social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective January 5, 2012. The low back disability claim is pending and the left knee degenerative joint disease claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to incomplete actions in the prior rating decision.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of posttraumatic stress disorder and radiculopathy of the left arm as they were withdrawn by the Veteran. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and skin condition of the left lower extremity are denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for headaches, COPD (claimed as emphysema and lungs), and bilateral knee disability. The new evidence received since the final decisions does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.