PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD based on an in-service stressor related to his military service in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the causes of his death were determined to be chronic respiratory failure due to COPD, shoulder muscle injury, chest muscle impairment, and PTSD.

The Veteran's MDD and PTSD are currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for evaluating psychiatric disabilities. The symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and attention deficit disorder, is related to an inservice sexual assault. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion, as well as additional Social Security Administration records. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a nasal septoplasty and granted service connection for arthritis of both knees, as well as weight gain. The acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD) is not considered in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain updated treatment records from a Vet Center.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is rated at 50 percent, which has been in effect since March 1999. The Board found that the manifestations of his service-connected psychiatric disorders approximate near continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, mild memory loss, irritability, sleep impairment, nightmares, difficulty understanding complex commands, restricted affect, depressed mood, anxiety, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living. This results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD, including alcohol dependence, is rated at 70 percent disabling since July 9, 2014. The claim for service connection for drug usage secondary to PTSD has not been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 70 percent disabling since the rating period prior to September 26, 2014. The combined effect of service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and adjudication of his claims, including right ankle traumatic arthritis and individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for prostate cancer residuals has been withdrawn. The Board also found that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis was denied as there is no medical diagnosis of chronic sarcoidosis at any time during the appeal period. The Veteran's PTSD claim remains pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 50 percent disabling prior to November 12, 2014 and as 70 percent disabling since that date. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to the AOJ.,Effective dates prior to June 6, 2014, are not warranted for awards of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to evidence of potentially worsening PTSD symptoms, and a new VA examination is necessary to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that relevant service department records were received after a prior denial of service connection for the Veteran's PTSD, and thus reconsideration is granted. Service connection for PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding his claimed bladder cancer and psychiatric disorders, including consideration of service connection based on exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further examination is needed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, as it involves an issue of new and material evidence. The case will be remanded for further action.