PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was denied in March 2003, but subsequently reopened and granted effective January 19, 2005. The Veteran appealed the initial rating assigned (50%) and the effective date (prior to January 19, 2005). The Board finds that the grant of service connection constituted a full grant of the benefits sought, thus falling out of appellate status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is etiologically related to a personal assault stressor in service, which is corroborated by service records demonstrating a change in behavior. As such, the criteria for service connection for PTSD have been met.

The Veteran's PTSD with sleep disorder was granted, and a temporary total rating for PTSD with sleep disorder was assigned based on hospitalization. The initial 30 percent rating for PTSD is maintained.

New and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD during a VA psychology consultation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of increased ratings for post-traumatic stress disorder, left ear hearing loss, and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, due to combat exposure during his military service.,Service connection was not established for a bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's current erectile dysfunction is caused by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and the Board finds that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the claim. Therefore, service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, effective January 11, 2006. The effective date for this rating was changed to October 4, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD from September 5, 2012 was withdrawn. The initial 30 percent rating for PTSD prior to September 20, 2008 is denied as the disability did not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. From September 20, 2008, a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA examination of his major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the retrieval of his VA treatment records, as well as service treatment records related to his recent period of active duty. The case will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU can be adjudicated. The Veteran's claim will be remanded to allow for a new examination of his PTSD condition, as well as attempts to obtain any relevant private medical records.

The Board has determined that the character of discharge for M.I.'s service from December 1967 to December 1970 is dishonorable, which constitutes a bar to VA benefits. As a result, the Appellant is not entitled to DIC, death pension, or accrued benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from January 30, 2008 to July 18, 2012. The Board has granted a 10% disability rating for the right shoulder surgical scar from January 21, 2011 to December 30, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and occurrence of a claimed in-service stressor event, which may be relevant to his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD and granted service connection, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and his psychiatric disorder is unrelated to service. His hearing loss disability was not shown during service or at present, meeting VA criteria for a disability. The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to be related to military noise exposure.,Service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), hearing loss, and tinnitus has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and readjudication. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD are pending.