PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions and insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, including obtaining VA medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran has bilateral hearing loss that is the result of disease or injury incurred during active military service, and his tinnitus may be related to noise exposure in service. The Board finds it as likely as not that both conditions are attributable to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is service-connected, but his PTSD claim was denied. The issues of service connection for PTSD and entitlement to an increased initial rating for supraventricular arrhythmia are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examination records, outstanding VA treatment records, and potential need for further examinations. The claims will be considered together as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal concerning his entitlement to an effective date earlier than April 10, 2002 for the assignment of a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD must be dismissed as it is final.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent should be granted based on his symptoms and impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors and establishes a causal nexus between current symptoms and those stressors.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing for esophageal cancer service connection and obtaining a VA psychiatric examination to assess PTSD. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability are also pending.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 3, 1997, for the award of service connection for postoperative scar, right inguinal hernia repair is denied. The RO granted service connection for this condition on September 3, 1997.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was withdrawn from appeal.

The Board denied entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and did not grant the extraschedular referral request for postoperative residuals of a right inguinal hernia.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any of his service-connected conditions, and the Board finds that the appellant does not have competent medical evidence to support her claim. As a result, she is not entitled to burial benefits based on the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse have been rated at 70 percent since April 22, 2013. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms as described in the medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The issue of TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with this service connection claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, PTSD, TBI, and a compensable rating for post-operative scarring from CABG were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been rated at the highest available levels, but his TDIU claim prior to February 14, 2012 was denied due to his ability to engage in employment.