PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition during the rating period.,Service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, including hypertension and atrial fibrillation, was also denied due to lack of direct or presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, including depression and PTSD, is service-connected.,His headaches are presumed to be related to his Gulf War service.,His left shoulder condition first manifested during service.,His neck condition likely began in-service due to a motor vehicle accident.,Erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability and hypertension.,Obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected.,Hypertension is also service-connected, linked to the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective from December 12, 2006 to April 27, 2010. The disability results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the claim for service connection for alcohol abuse secondary to PTSD can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's hearing loss is service-connected due to in-service acoustic trauma, and he has been granted a 70 percent rating for his PTSD.,He is also entitled to a TDIU since September 2009.

The Veteran's combined disability rating meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, prostate cancer, and tinnitus. The preponderance of evidence shows that these conditions are of such severity as to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 20, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms described do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete consideration of additional evidence, inadequate VA examination, and need for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are found to have onset in service and are therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's initial ratings for IBS, Allergic Rhinosinusitis, Major Depressive Disorder with Anxiety Disorder prior to December 9, 2010, and Hypertension have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU. Service connection has not been established for the respiratory condition, right knee disability, or hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her bilateral pes planus, gastrointestinal disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues on appeal include service connection claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been manifested by depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, difficulty in understanding complex commands, impaired abstract thinking, disturbances in motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Anxiety Neurosis was reopened, and both conditions are now considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with substance abuse, is not productive of total occupational and social impairment warranting a higher initial evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and updated treatment records to assess his current PTSD severity.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD with alcohol dependence prior to January 16, 2014 resulted in reduced reliability and productivity. Since June 26, 2013, his conditions manifested in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal of his initial PTSD evaluation and TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible schedular rating (100%) and is his sole service-connected disability. Therefore, he no longer meets the criteria for a TDIU as there are no additional disabilities to consider.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings have been denied as there are no pending claims of record prior to the dates granted, and the increase in disability was not factually ascertainable within a year prior to the date of claim.