PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's history of congestive heart failure with left ventricular hypertrophy, trace mitral regurgitation, trace tricuspid regurgitation, and mild dilated left atrium is found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that the acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD, chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and depressive disorder) is related to military service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service stressor and thus no diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence of any claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and has also denied his request to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals were withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite, PTSD, and depression are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported in-service stressor, involving a Panamanian soldier with a shotgun aimed at him, is not consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of his service. As such, the Veteran's claim for PTSD cannot be granted based on this alleged stressor.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, alcohol abuse, and anxiety. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of any found psychiatric diagnosis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, arthritis, and eye conditions (including conjunctivitis and blindness in one eye) due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, as well as his hepatitis C, are related to service. The claim for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 29, 2008. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) was also granted due to the Veteran's housebound status resulting from his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied. The remaining issues of increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and its impact on his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to exposure to acoustic trauma in active service. The claims for PTSD and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, COPD, and hypertension have been denied as there is no diagnosed psychiatric disorder or evidence of a stressor related to military service. The Veteran's coronary artery disease has also not been linked to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression not otherwise specified, adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, and dysthymic disorder. The claim for hearing loss disability was also denied. The claim for tinnitus remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU.