PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot fungus disorder was denied. The Board also reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include major depressive disorder, but found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral foot disorder.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, which contributed to the myocardial infarction and high blood pressure that led to his cardiac arrest. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from May 8, 2009 is being remanded due to the failure to attend scheduled VA examinations and incarceration. The case will be readjudicated after a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but generally functions satisfactorily.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted, and the Board finds that there is at least as likely as not a medical relationship between his current diagnosis of adjustment disorder mixed with anxiety and depression and his military service. ,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (adjustment disorder mixed with anxiety and depression) is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the May 2013 rating decision granting a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective April 15, 2013.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, satisfied with the October 2013 rating decision that increased his PTSD disability rating from 0% to 70%

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety, are not etiologically related to active service. The preponderance of the competent and credible evidence of record is against a finding that any current bilateral hearing loss disability was incurred in or is related to active service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and finds that new evidence received since the October 2012 denial is sufficient to establish a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a link between the Veteran's symptoms and his military service. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and anxiety are addressed separately.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service combat stressors and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for ischemic heart disease is denied as there is no evidence of such a condition.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression, was not incurred or aggravated in service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist arthritis, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period or proximate thereto.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, dysthymic disorder, and MDD was denied. The claim for initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss disability was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and intermittent explosive disorder, finding that the current psychiatric disability was not causally related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD did not result in significant occupational and social impairment prior to February 10, 2015. For the period beginning on February 10, 2015, his PTSD has not resulted in total social and occupational impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining treatment records and providing adequate notice in connection with the TDIU claim. A VA examination is also needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD and alcohol dependence.