PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of both feet, and PTSD has been granted. The claims are presumed based on exposure to herbicides during service in Korea.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder warrants a rating of 100 percent throughout the entire period of the claim. The criteria for an effective date earlier than March 3, 2011, for service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction have not been met. The criteria for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The claim of service connection for right pes planus has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Veteran's last employer and a VA examination to address all complications of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The timeliness of appeals regarding hypertension, solar elastosis/tinea cruris/asteatosis, and PTSD are also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's service status and her in-service assault. The issues of veteran status, PTSD, and migraine headaches are now pending for further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD disability has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a maximum 100 percent schedular rating since February 20, 2008.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his failure to appear at a VA examination and because he expressed disagreement with the denial of service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic upper respiratory infections. The case is now pending for further review.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for PTSD with alcohol abuse is being remanded due to inadequate findings in the previous VA examination and the need to obtain updated treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has granted a higher initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, a skin disorder, or a back disorder. The evidence did not establish current diagnoses of these conditions and there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA social and industrial survey. The Veteran's appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as left foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants entitlement to a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), osteoporosis, and a joint condition manifested by pain. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were caused by his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 50 percent prior to December 5, 2011. The Board has now granted a rating of 70 percent for the period prior to May 5, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this disability. The Board has found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining deck logs from the USS Merrill and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between the Veteran's in-service event and any current acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD disability picture, which now meets the criteria for a 100 percent rating, has not changed significantly during the course of this appeal. The RO awarded an initial 100 percent rating effective from February 15, 2005.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for PTSD and Schizophreniform Disorder with Paranoia (also claimed as severe depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder).,However, the claim remains on appeal as new evidence does not establish service connection.