PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable prior to March 6, 2015, and 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to March 18, 2013 and at 70 percent on and after that date.

The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc/joint disease and spinal canal stenosis, is related to service. He also has other service-connected disabilities that prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,Service connection for the low back disability was established based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple myeloma, PTSD, and hepatitis C. The issues of reopening claims for aortic aneurysm, left hip replacement, hypertension, and depression with insomnia have also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU grant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, substance abuse disorders, and depressive disorders is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his mental health history.

The Board has remanded the case for further development on issues of special monthly compensation, service connection for the cause of death, and death pension benefits. The appellant is also required to be notified of her eligibility to substitute in the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35 was denied. The earliest effective dates assigned are June 9, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective March 3, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran has occupational and social impairment due to his PTSD symptoms, which meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Veteran's IBS and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the presumption of service connection for IBS due to Persian Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD with anxiety and depression, mild thoracolumbar strain, malaria, and scars, preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim will be reconsidered after these steps.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking and/or mood since December 1, 2005. The criteria for an initial 70 percent rating have been met since that date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for a new examination.

The Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD that is attributed to military sexual trauma experienced during service. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus, secondary to left ear hearing loss, is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hearing loss have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need to obtain National Guard records from 1988. The Board will also seek additional medical opinions if necessary.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or materially contribute to his death. The VA medical opinion concluded that hypertension, which was first diagnosed several years after separation from service and treated with medication, was more likely due to established risk factors rather than military service or service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to May 12, 2010, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.