PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is not related to his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection. The issue of secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to appear at a scheduled Board videoconference hearing. She has requested and been granted another hearing.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 13, 1996 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was received on that date and he had symptoms of PTSD prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased initial rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain more recent records and provide him with a VA examination to determine the nature of his claimed conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, low back condition, acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD and depression), and hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. He is also granted TDIU status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle disability has been reopened and granted. She is also granted a rating in excess of 10 percent for her migraine headaches from August 4, 2005 to April 7, 2014.,Service connection was established for PTSD due to military sexual trauma during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to sexual assault in service, is not incurred or aggravated by her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 26, 2010. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD, and the evidence fails to suggest that he has any other diagnosed psychiatric disorder that is attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since September 22, 2015. Prior to that date, the rating was 50 percent. The Board found that the symptoms of PTSD have resulted in significant impairment but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he and his representative withdrew their appeals in writing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ring finger amputation, gout (claimed as a left foot/leg condition), PTSD, and sleeplessness. However, new and material evidence was not received in order to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is found to be related to his active service. The Board grants the claim of entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to missing VA treatment records and the need for a new examination to determine if his PTSD alone prevents him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to noise exposure during active duty. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board's June 2013 decision was reversed, as the correct facts and applicable law at that time established service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 12, 2014, reflecting the highest available rating for this disability.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent rating effective from September 17, 2008. The issue of TDIU remains on appeal.