PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70% for the Veteran's PTSD from September 29, 2009, and maintained it at 50% since July 24, 2014. The effective dates are September 29, 2009, and July 24, 2014.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased rating for PTSD with dysthymic disorder and TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for headaches, including as secondary to PTSD.

The Board determined that the original grant of service connection for PTSD was based on fraud and thus improperly severed. Service connection is restored, and the Veteran's TDIU claim remains valid.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, have been reopened. However, service connection is not granted as there is no verified in-service stressor or credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors. The claim for diabetes mellitus type II has also been denied due to lack of herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) after further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and type II diabetes mellitus, contributed substantially or materially to his death from intracerebral hemorrhage. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is not related to his period of active duty training (ADT) in 1974. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any current mental health condition is causally related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). The other issues, including reduction of the disability rating for posttraumatic headaches and entitlements related to PTSD and TDIU, are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification of opinions regarding the Veteran's pre-existing mental disorders and their relationship to active service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected disability is being remanded for further consideration, including review of a September 2009 VA physician's statement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, as secondary to his service-connected acquired skin disorder is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the presence of a current mental health diagnosis and the need for additional VA examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant's anxiety disorder is service-connected, and her varicose veins are not. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Hepatitis C, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran is granted TDIU solely due to service-connected PTSD as of March 30, 2007, except for the period from June 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not rated higher than the current schedular criteria allows.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for depression and PTSD has been granted, with a rating assigned at 30% effective from the date of receipt of the application.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and respiratory disorders did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD, and additional VA treatment records are required. The Veteran may also be entitled to an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no pending issues for the Board to consider.

The case is being remanded for additional VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD, and COPD.