PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is linked to his combat deployment in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder and PTSD, that is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims were denied. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to May 16, 2015 did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent. Service connection was also denied for left knee, elbow, and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC due to aid and attendance or a single disability rated as 100 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable prior to April 22, 2009 without considering his age and a non-service-connected condition (HSP).

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no competent evidence showing a psychiatric disability related to service or his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and adjudication due to incomplete medical records, conflicting opinions from VA examiners, and the need for further clarification of the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's PTSD, TBI, and headaches have been found to not warrant an increased rating or service connection. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The Veteran appealed this decision, and the Court remanded the case to consider whether his schizophrenia and/or depression are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to April 28, 2010. The evidence does not show that the disability was more disabling than this rating during this period.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent for the entire initial rating period, but is now granted a higher 70 percent disability rating due to more severe symptoms. The claims for service connection for CFS and other conditions remain pending.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of diagnosed PTSD or a sleep disorder during the appeal period. The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder does not include these conditions as separate diagnoses.

The Veteran's head trauma residuals, including PTSD, are currently rated at 100 percent under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board finds that these symptoms are encompassed within his total schedular rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and issuance of a Statement of the Case addressing all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the current severity of his PTSD and his TDIU claim. The case will be returned to the Board after all necessary actions are taken.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD and TDIU are before the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements regarding its onset during active duty are credible and supported by medical evidence. The remaining claims of service connection for knee disabilities and hearing loss will be remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since December 2009, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be due to active military service, and he is granted service connection for PTSD. The issue of an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis remains pending.