PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol abuse are rated at 50 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective from September 19, 2008.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is found to be related to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's PTSD claim, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and complete records from Dr. Hoeper. The TDIU issue will also be addressed as part of this remand process.

The Veteran's death was not directly related to service-connected conditions, and the appeal is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is traceable to military service, and therefore grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records, as well as inextricably intertwined issues of TDIU.

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service stressor and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in July and February 2005. The Board granted a petition to reopen the claim in December 2010, and the RO subsequently granted service connection for PTSD effective from February 9, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and bipolar disorder, is related to his service. The claim for a skin rash is also granted due to exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and a nervous disorder. The case has been remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing and because this claim has direct bearing on his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling prior to April 2013, and as 70 percent disabling from April to June 2013. He is now entitled to a 100 percent rating for PTSD starting from May 2012. A TDIU is granted prior to May 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include Major Depressive Disorder and PTSD, remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 14, 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service or secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The claims for a rash, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss are remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were granted, with the effective dates being determined based on the date of receipt of his informal claim or the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred.

The Veteran has appealed the effective dates for various ratings, but not all issues have been timely appealed. The appeal is mixed as some issues are granted and others are denied.

The Board has vacated its previous decision and remanded the case for further action due to new evidence submitted by the appellant's attorney.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities, PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling based on instability under Diagnostic Code 5257. Separate 10 percent evaluations are assigned for each knee due to arthritis with painful motion.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since the date of claim, and his lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 30%, but has been increased to 40% as of September 16, 2013. The scars are rated at 30% overall, with a separate 10% rating for pain.