PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

For the initial rating period from October 21, 2010 to December 9, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD with panic disorder and agoraphobia was rated at 50 percent.,For the initial rating periods from February 26, 2015 forward, the Veteran's PTSD with panic disorder and agoraphobia was rated at 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or a bilateral eye disability. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused or hastened by a disability incurred in or aggravated by service, and specifically does not find evidence of a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting the predominant symptoms of chronic sleep impairment due to nightmares and flashbacks. The rating does not meet criteria for a higher rating as his psychiatric symptomatology has remained consistent with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied, and his service connection for basal cell carcinoma (claimed as skin cancer) was granted. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that a TDIU is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and that his symptoms are related to an in-service stressor involving exposure to scud missile attacks. As such, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate prior VA medical opinion and missing private medical records. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being evaluated in relation to his service-connected disabilities, including prescribed medications.

The Veteran's PTSD with mood disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling effective May 5, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period prior to or after this date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric examination. The case also involves the issue of whether the Veteran should be granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's cause of death is service-connected due to his diagnosed PTSD, which was caused by his combat experience during World War II. The Board has granted the claim for service connection and thus does not need to address the pension benefits claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to incomplete development of records. The Veteran will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case after any additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at a 70 percent disability rating since May 3, 2012. The Veteran is not precluded from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment based solely due to the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability including PTSD, depressive disorder, and panic disorder without agoraphobia is rated at 70 percent. His cognitive disorder with a history of post-concussion syndrome has been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they do not result in significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and lay statements. The issue of a higher disability rating for PTSD will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder is rated at 70% since April 13, 2015.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20% since February 20, 2015.,The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30% since February 20, 2015.,The Veteran's hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet remains rated at 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to credible supporting evidence of a sexual assault during service and medical opinions linking his current conditions to this stressor.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no credible evidence supporting his stressor statements. The VA psychologist's opinions based on review of the deck logs from USS Forrestal contradicted the Veteran's assertions.

The case is being remanded for the Veteran to be scheduled for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.