PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran requested an increase in the disability rating for prostatitis and filed appeals for service connection of various conditions, including hypertension, PTSD, tinnitus, blistering on the ears, glaucoma and cataracts with lens replacement, boils, emphysema, and tinea pedis. The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current level of impairment resulting from his service-connected disabilities and whether they are sufficient by themselves to render him housebound or require aid and attendance. The issues related to earlier effective dates and reopening a claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a PTSD examination to assess his current symptoms. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims will also require an examination to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the May 2013 VA examination, which did not consider two corroborated stressor events and failed to provide an opinion on the likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities. The case is now being returned for further development.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to his PTSD and other disabilities, as he is capable of performing work in a more sedentary capacity.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, and the claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent prior to July 10, 2015, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to hearing transcripts and notification of evidence needed to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities have been granted service connection, with the right shoulder rated at 30% and the left shoulder rated at 20%. The effective dates for these awards are October 19, 2011.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder in the claims file throughout the appeal period, and thus service connection for a psychiatric disorder cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the October 2010 supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD remains under review.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for osteoarthritis, bilateral hips. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records. The goal is to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus Type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to confusion regarding the type and location of hearing requested. The case will be handled by scheduling a video-conference hearing in Waco, Texas.

The Veteran's PTSD does not result in deficiencies in most areas, and the claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD as defined under VA criteria. Therefore, his claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for hypertension have been withdrawn. The Board has found that PTSD is related to his verified in-service stressors, thus granting service connection for PTSD. Service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure remains pending.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder has been granted, with an effective date of August 2, 2010. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for this condition.