PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has once again remanded the claim due to incomplete records and a need for further medical evaluation. The appellant's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression have been rated at 100 percent since June 12, 2014. The initial evaluation was granted to reflect the increased disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is not due to his presumed herbicide exposure or any other disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's PTSD has been granted with a 10% evaluation, but the claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent prior to May 12, 2008, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The decision is based on direct evidence of a link between the Veteran's current psychiatric condition and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective March 21, 2009. Service connection for right and left knee disabilities, left shoulder disability, and bilateral pes planus are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and migraine headaches have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this combined effect.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not caused by his in-service stressors, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 12, 2010. The rating is for the entire initial rating period.

The Veteran's tinnitus and anxiety/depression have been granted service connection, but his PTSD claim has not met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, and the claim for an increased rating has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an addendum VA opinion regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), skin disability, bilateral varicose veins of the lower extremities, and bilateral degenerative joint disease of the lower extremities are denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a video-conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals due to his request. The initial disability rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a rating of 50 percent is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as the evidence did not corroborate his reported in-service stressors and there is no medical opinion linking any diagnosed psychiatric disorders to service. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's claims were not granted.

PTSD was manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and avoidance of cues related to his war experiences. The Veteran's employment remained stable throughout the period.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.