PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU prior to March 12, 2015, due to his service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for neck, hip, and psychiatric disorders. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the stressor allegations and obtain VA treatment records.,The Veteran seeks service connection for left and right hip disorders. Additional development is required to confirm the alleged in-service stressors and obtain relevant medical records.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a right hip disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the stressor allegations and obtain VA treatment records.,The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and hypertension. Additional development is required to confirm the alleged in-service stressors, determine the etiology of any psychiatric disorders, and assess the relationship between hypertension and diabetes or a currently nonservice-connected psychiatric disability.,The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the secondary aspect of his claim and obtain VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 15, 2011 for PTSD is denied as there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability within the year preceding her June 15, 2011 claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered part of the same disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity of his service-connected PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD with substance abuse was rated at 30 percent from January 20, 1989 to January 30, 1994 and at 70 percent from February 23, 1994 to March 26, 1997 for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has reinstated the appellant's VA benefits, effective April 1, 2012. The character of his discharge is not a bar to receiving VA benefits and the severance of service connection for the listed conditions was not proper.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety), and muscle pain are being reviewed.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and verify service department records, as well as immunization charts. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, and his claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied. The appeal will be remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be etiologically related to his military service, and the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a major depressive disorder and PTSD was reopened, but the claims for hypertension, CAD, left ventricular dysfunction/congestive heart failure, ulcers, COPD, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, right foot calluses and corns, and left foot calluses and corns were all denied. The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on the need for convalescence following May 2012 right foot surgery was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to clarify his psychiatric diagnoses and their relationship to service. The TDIU issue must also be addressed in the claims file.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure the Veteran receives an adequate examination in this case, as the current VA examination report is not adequate for resolution of his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore service connection for this condition cannot be established. The issue of an increased rating for glaucoma is also remanded.

The Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, as his disability is rated at 60% or higher and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging a new VA examination. The case will be reconsidered after the development.