PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examiner's opinion and for obtaining updated treatment records. The Veteran is requested to provide any additional information or evidence if needed.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability related to service for the claimed right elbow disorder. The Veteran's statements regarding his right elbow injury are not supported by medical evidence and thus do not establish a current disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to his failure to report for a VA examination and because the issue of an initial increased rating for hepatitis C is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 100% rating since February 12, 2011. The left arm sensory defect disability was rated at 20%.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board finds that additional development is needed to fully and fairly adjudicate this issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the Veteran's psychiatric disability claim and issuance of a statement of the case regarding his nonservice connected pension issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted due to the submission of new and material evidence, which included a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirement for assignment of a TDIU and are reasonably shown to render him unable to secure and follow a substantial gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran has PTSD due to multiple traumas experienced during Vietnam, including fearing for his life and the lives of those around him. The Veteran's symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, emotional numbing, anger and irritability, sleep disturbance, an exaggerated startle response, and hypervigilance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of those related to PTSD and depressive disorder. The remaining conditions are either already established or not yet determined.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by symptoms such as anxiety, hypervigilance, difficulty sleeping, irritability, isolating behaviors, and trouble concentrating. The VA examiner found these symptoms warrant a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on all issues related to bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and a sleep disorder prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and review of his medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for ADHD and PTSD with depression, anxiety, and restless leg syndrome. The higher initial ratings for PTSD and tinnitus are also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a 100% evaluation. The Board found an increased rating of 50% prior to May 11, 2012, and 70% thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for separate ratings for PTSD, MDD, and associated alcohol dependence was denied. The Board found that his psychiatric symptoms are inextricably intertwined and thus not warranting separate ratings. An effective date of July 23, 2010 for the award of service connection for PTSD and MDD with associated alcohol dependence is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 2006, and the Board granted a higher rating of 70 percent.,Beginning June 1, 2015, the Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD alone.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disability related to his active military service. The bilateral knee osteoarthritis did not have onset in service and was not caused or permanently aggravated by his active military service. The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of ischemic heart disease but has a diagnosis of GERD that had onset in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address all requested opinions.