PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical examination and opinion to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in an impairment of his ability to retain employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests. The evidence shows that a MBA degree is necessary for the Veteran to remain employed at his current position.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, with the Board finding that it only met the 50% and 70% ratings prior to February 18, 2010, respectively.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, and the existing diagnoses are not considered to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression with anxiety, vertigo, GERD, and hypertension. The decision also found that referral for extraschedular consideration of bilateral hearing loss was not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling since April 5, 1996. The rating is based on the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for cold injury residuals and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) and hypertension. The Veteran's cold injury residuals are linked to his service, while the acquired psychiatric disabilities and hypertension do not appear to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as a result of his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the November 2009 Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination. The Board requires an addendum opinion from the examiner regarding the Veteran's in-service incidents and whether they indicated an in-service onset of a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA psychologist regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of acute bronchitis is reconsidered and granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim, as a relevant service treatment record was submitted in June 1983.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his right knee condition was granted, with a new and material evidence basis. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's PTSD caused significant occupational and social impairment prior to May 2010, warranting a 50% disability rating. From May 2010 onwards, the disability warranted an increased 70% disability rating.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the April 1970 and April 2005 RO decisions that denied service connection for PTSD and a nervous condition, respectively. The Veteran's motion to revise or reverse these decisions on the basis of CUE is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lump in the head and diabetes mellitus type II has been dismissed as withdrawn.,Service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss disability have both been granted, with new evidence received since the March 2004 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 15, 2012. The VA examiner noted occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when combined, meet the criteria for a TDIU effective November 17, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased rating for PTSD are pending.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as a result of an incident during active service, and he has been granted service connection for this condition with symptoms of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his period of active service. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between any current disabilities and his military service.