PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social deficiencies, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining in-service mental health treatment records and investigating a claimed stressor involving covert operations outside of Saigon, Vietnam. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to clarify the nature and severity of his PTSD symptoms over the pendency period.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, that is related to his military service and denies the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed stressors, including a search and rescue operation involving drowning children, were not verified. As such, service connection for PTSD could not be established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and the evidence demonstrates that he is as likely as not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression from November 21, 2003, through June 1, 2010, produced significant occupational and social impairment warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue, skin disorder, psychiatric disorder, and sleep disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability characterized by chronic fatigue or any other qualifying chronic disability related to undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's skin disorder was not shown to be due to exposure in the Persian Gulf War.,The Veteran has multiple diagnoses for her skin condition, including eczema and tinea infections. However, these conditions are not considered manifestations of a Gulf War-related undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation based on hospital treatment prior to November 9, 2009 and later than December 31, 2009 was denied as there is no evidence of convalescence following the hospitalization.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.,Service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% from November 20, 2006 and 100% from August 4, 2008. The effective date for the 100% rating is September 4, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, did not have its onset during service or due to a service-connected condition. The Board also determined that there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor related to military sexual trauma (MST). As such, the claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The VA Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease (DDD), was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not presumed to have been due to his military service. The Board found no medical evidence linking the current DDD to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his service in Iraq, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA hospitalization records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 70 percent rating assigned for PTSD was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability began prior to his April 2003 hospitalization.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA aid and attendance/housebound examination. The claims for increased ratings will also be adjudicated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, breathing problems, and acid reflux. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was initially denied in 1996, but reopened and granted effective from May 26, 1995.