PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a copy of the Fort Dix Basic Training yearbook from July to October 1974. The Veteran's claim is currently pending and will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the tinnitus being presumed due to in-service noise exposure. The psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also granted as it has been linked to a verified stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his PTSD and allergic rhinitis do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current eye disabilities are not related to his active service and therefore denied service connection for bilateral eye disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of October 25, 2002. However, the Board found that a prior unadjudicated claim for service connection for anxiety disorder existed and thus determined that the earlier effective date of January 22, 1981 should apply.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to November 19, 2010 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent. From November 19, 2010 onwards, he met the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete development and the need for an updated VA Form 21-8940, as well as a new addendum opinion regarding his occupational functioning. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction due to incomplete adjudication and need for additional evidence. The issues on appeal include increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, delusional disorder, and panic disorder have been reopened and granted. The claim for Parkinson's Disease or Parkinsonism is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied by the RO in June 2005, and he appealed. The effective date of his TDIU award is March 19, 2003, as it aligns with the date service connection for PTSD was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service connection claims for a back condition, lung condition (claimed as bronchiectasis), immune disorder, and anemia are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II and denied the remaining claims. Diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to in-service herbicide exposure, while the other conditions are not supported by evidence of record.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a nexus to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD as a result of his verified stressors related to his fear of hostile military activity during his Vietnam War service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back trauma, cervical strain, linear fracture of frontal and maxillary sinuses, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleep problems. The issues are related to willful misconduct during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was granted with an effective date of September 18, 2013. The grant of SMC based on housebound status also had an effective date of September 18, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 50 percent from April 20, 2010 to September 12, 2013. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for this period, which fully satisfies the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psychosis and schizoaffective disorder.

The Veteran is granted TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, with a combined disability rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 9, 2009.