PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected nasal condition. The claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, while hypertension, a seizure disorder, and peptic ulcer disease are not. The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection. The appeals for hypertension and a scar on the left arm as a residual of a shell fragment wound were dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms warrant this higher rating and he is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence has been more nearly approximated by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The disability has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to the absence of a diagnosis of PTSD. The claim for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant was also denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for permanent and total disability resulting from loss or use of both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for bilateral pes planus, PTSD, and coronary artery disease have been granted. An effective date of November 24, 2008 has also been established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his sleep apnea and service-connected PTSD. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, a higher rating for PTSD, and earlier effective date for TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a schedular evaluation of 70 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and scheduling of a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from December 3, 2012 to the present. The appeal for higher ratings on other conditions and service connection claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since February 2011. The Board found that the symptoms of PTSD have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% rating but denied as there was no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to make a decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection. This includes obtaining VA examinations regarding his claimed acquired psychiatric condition, bronchitis, and right leg condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, or a back disability related to service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. A psychiatric examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military sexual trauma during active duty. The low back disorder claim remains pending as a new examination and opinion are required.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the earlier effective dates for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and TDIU. As a result, these claims are dismissed.