PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and psychiatric disabilities are service-connected, with no issues remaining unresolved. The hearing testimony and medical records support these findings.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, and he is found to be unable to engage in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that there is not such an approximate balance of the positive evidence and negative evidence to permit a more favorable determination. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, neck disability, and psychiatric disability are service-connected. The claims for a TDIU rating have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD with other specified depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since October 26, 2015. The impairment is characterized by reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and other issues needing clarification.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent for the period from March 22, 2012 to January 24, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, acquired psychiatric disability (including dysthymic disorder), and PTSD. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased PTSD rating, TDIU, and service connection for right shoulder and neck disorders prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found that the cause of death, subdural hematoma due to blunt head trauma, was not service-connected as it did not result from a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's PTSD and other disabilities were not determined to have contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD effective May 19, 2000 and assigned a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, and the Board finds that her PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault. The Veteran's other psychiatric disorders (unspecified psychotic disorder and borderline personality disorder), headache disorder, fibromyalgia, and fibroid tumors are not found to be directly related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetic nephropathy, neurogenic bladder, hypertensive heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and lower extremities, and type II diabetes mellitus with nonproliferative retinopathy, cataracts, onychomycosis, and impotence, require regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no competent evidence of a current psychiatric disability, and the Board finds that he does not meet the fundamental requirement of having a currently diagnosed disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence added since the April 2014 VA Form-9, including VA generated treatment notes from April 2015. The Veteran and his representative are given an opportunity to respond to this supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues are whether he should receive an increased disability rating for PTSD with depressive disorder and polysubstance dependence, and whether his abdominal and splenic disability, status post splenectomy, is related to service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), alcohol abuse disorder, acid reflux, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding exposure to Camp Lejeune and environmental toxins.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and a kidney disorder are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding in-service psychiatric treatment records and diagnoses.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for alcohol abuse disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding the relationship between his alcohol use and any diagnosed mental health conditions.,The Veteran's claim for acid reflux is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, to include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), related to his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include consideration of whether service connection is warranted for any acquired psychiatric disability. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.