PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and GERD have been denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending as the issue has not yet been adjudicated. The Veteran was granted a noncompensable disability rating for GERD prior to May 23, 2008, but no higher.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression is related to her active duty service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a PTSD examination and further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board finds that the Veteran's reported stressors are not supported by credible evidence and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder(s).

The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability was reopened, and service connection is granted. Service connection for migraine headaches and PTSD are also granted with an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD. The Veteran meets the criteria for total unemployability due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since May 15, 2014. The Board finds that the criteria for a 50 percent rating are met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of all diagnosed Axis I psychiatric disorders and any private treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, depression NOS, and generalized anxiety disorder), finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, TDIU, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran also has pending issues regarding sleep apnea and a reduction in his coronary artery disease disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's request for a Board hearing has been scheduled, but the notices were sent to an incorrect address. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a videoconference hearing at his latest address.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a video conference hearing. The Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 22, 2010 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder. The decision found that equitable tolling did not apply and that the Veteran was capable of rational thought during the period in question.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and bipolar disorder, is granted as his claimed in-service stressor involving witnessing incoming artillery fire from hostile enemy forces in Beirut while serving aboard the USS TICONDEROGA has been independently verified and supports a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD results in reduced reliability and productivity, with symptoms such as anxiety, sleep impairment, and difficulty maintaining social relationships. The VA has granted a 50% disability rating for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of diagnosis in accordance with DSM-5. The acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, was diagnosed post-service and is considered a direct result of her military service based on her symptoms experienced during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, right arm fracture residuals, and tinnitus) are rated at 60 percent combined. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unemployable due to their severity and nature.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in the VA examination opinions and the need to obtain updated treatment records.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was reduced from a 100% to a 40% rating effective May 1, 2010. The Board found that the reduction was proper and granted an initial PTSD rating of 50%. No TDIU was granted.