PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his active service. The other claims remain pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not meet the requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 or accrued benefits. The appellant also does not qualify for non-service-connected death pension due to her income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Board has granted a rating of at least 50 percent for service-connected PTSD, effective March 18, 2008. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD and hearing loss, as well as service connection for heart disability and morbid obesity are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA medical records and provide a current VA examination for his PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD and for an earlier effective date prior to April 27, 2012, for the award of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is not entitled to either claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying alleged PTSD stressors. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss on his ability to work. The issue will also be reviewed for extraschedular TDIU consideration if he does not meet schedular criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD, service connection for OSA and GERD secondary to PTSD, as well as the reopening of her back disorder claim were all denied by the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and his right ankle disability remains at 10%. The claims for lumbar spine, right shoulder, right knee, left ankle disabilities are not addressed.

The Board granted an effective date of January 11, 2013 for a 100% disability rating for PTSD based on the Veteran's claim filed on that same day.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the August 2014 VA examination report and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial disability rating for PTSD has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for an opinion on whether a service-connected disability caused or contributed to cause the Veteran's death, specifically addressing his in-service cardiorespiratory arrest and its potential relation to any heart disorder that led to his fatal myocardial infarction.

The Veteran's initial rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as an anxiety disorder, was granted at a 50 percent rating from July 3, 2009, to September 22, 2010. The Board also denied any request for a higher rating during this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is not related to service and did not find any other psychiatric disability in service or linked to service. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with depression and anxiety, and gastroenteritis has been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a chest scar and PTSD with alcohol abuse were denied by the Board. The current 10% rating for the chest scar is maintained, while the 50% rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse remains unchanged.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the effective date of service connection. The Board found that his symptoms more nearly approximated a 50 percent rating, but not higher.

The Board found that the Veteran's current sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability, including his Barrett's esophagus with GERD and PTSD.