PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of his claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD. The VA examiner needs to address whether the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by active duty service, and the Veteran needs to be notified about a scheduled PTSD examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a request from the Veteran for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the effective date for his TDIU rating cannot be earlier than September 24, 2012.

The Board has ordered additional development for the Veteran's hearing loss and PTSD claims, including obtaining service personnel records and scheduling a VA examination. The appeal is remanded to allow for these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not shown to have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, as required for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from March 23, 2004 and granted a 70 percent rating for the entire initial rating period on appeal. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to the failure to appear at a previously scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be handled again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to in-service MST, which has been corroborated by credible supporting evidence. As such, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that it would warrant a higher rating. The evidence does not support a finding of deficiencies in most areas or total social and occupational impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing and to clarify whether the Veteran would like representation. The appeal is about determining if there was clear and unmistakable error in the May 2005 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding VA and SSA records, which need to be obtained for proper adjudication of his service connection claim and TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee tendonitis based on limitation of motion back to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability (COPD) is not service-connected due to a pre-existing condition, and his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD or depressive disorder) is service-connected based on evidence of record.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder. The left ankle disorder issue was not addressed as it does not appear the Veteran has a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied the remaining issues, including anosmia. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are not rated as compensable.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, coronary artery disease, kidney stones, and stomach disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for PTSD, neck disability, and memory loss are still pending.