PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current headache disability and whether it is related to his service-connected back disability or PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were withdrawn. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence of a left shoulder, left arm, or left hip disability. Service connection was not established for tinnitus due to lack of in-service exposure.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial ratings for bipolar disorder with PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and residual scar of the left jaw.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic disorder without agoraphobia has been granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from February 2, 2015.

The Board has ordered a remand to ensure that there is a complete record upon which to decide whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, warranting a TDIU due to his unemployability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits of high cholesterol, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and PTSD have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, right and left knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The decision also addressed other issues such as increased ratings for foot disabilities and entitlement to additional compensation benefits for dependent sons.

The Veteran's mood disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes and coronary artery disease. The temporary total ratings for convalescence following cardiac catheterizations in June 2000 and December 2002 are denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's mood disorder, including depression, is caused by his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, DM, and PTSD. The Veteran's current conditions are presumed to be associated with his exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating from July 21, 2014. The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to a qualifying in-service stressor, and his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete information and need for further development, including verification of service in Korea and review of private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for a burn scar of the right forearm. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to a sexual assault that occurred in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.