PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD are granted. The initial compensable rating of 10 percent for tinea pedis and onychomycosis is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD and whether any other acquired psychiatric disorder should be diagnosed. The TDIU claim will also be addressed in this process.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, low back disability, and others, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar pain syndrome, left ankle limited motion, and lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and total disability based on individual unemployability due to PTSD is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an examination and assessing the relationship between his substance abuse and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the effective date of March 15, 2012 for service connection of PTSD should be reconsidered due to incomplete records and needs clarification on who P.M. is.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, PTSD, anal fissure, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy, right ankle laxity, inguinal hernia repair residuals, left ear scar, groin scar, and erectile dysfunction, collectively preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, tinnitus, and transient ischemic attacks and right middle cerebral infarct, combine to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his prostate cancer disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's reported in-service stressors are considered, but the third one is already verified. A new VA examination is necessary to determine if PTSD was incurred during service.

The Veteran's current upper, middle and lower back disabilities are found to be related to injuries sustained during service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and anxiety, are related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent since December 7, 2012. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is dismissed as the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD has been resolved.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD symptoms is currently rated at 30 percent, which is less than the maximum benefit available. The Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent effective January 3, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 100 percent disabling since July 15, 1996. The issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU is now moot due to the Veteran being service connected for only one condition (PTSD) prior to October 2, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 8, 1988, for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) has been granted. The rating assigned is 50%.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was reduced from 10 percent to zero percent effective September 1, 2015. The reduction is upheld as the evidence shows sustained material improvement in his hearing acuity under ordinary conditions of life and work.