PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating beyond 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to June 15, 2015 resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decreases in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. This did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Depression, is related to his service in the Gulf War. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, hypertension, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, left heel disability, and left shoulder disability were denied as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of September 30, 2004. The decision also notes that the Veteran's entitlement to service connection arose on January 9, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for a more recent examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to September 19, 2007 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent. The evidence also failed to establish that his service-connected PTSD precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period under consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 6, 2008, for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted. The initial rating for his service-connected PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and obstructive sleep apnea, both found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent, which resolves the issue of a rating in excess of 70 percent. The TDIU claim is moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a verified in-service stressor and meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, but only to the extent it is related to his now service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds a 70% disability rating is warranted prior to October 22, 2014.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, upper back disability, mid-to-low-back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and PTSD. The Veteran's reports of inservice acoustic trauma are accepted as credible evidence of an in-service event. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is more nearly productive of total occupational and social impairment for the entire appeal period, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is not service-connected due to lack of credible supporting evidence for his claimed stressors. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder is attributable to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service at the Korean DMZ. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, while his bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder were not related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of sleep impairment, suicidal ideation, social isolation, paranoia, nightmares, hypervigilance, anger problems, avoidant behavior, near continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board finds that for the entire duration of the appeal, the schedular criteria for a rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for PTSD have been met.