PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran is seeking service connection for HIV, which he claims was caused by his PTSD and the use of medications to treat it. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service. The appeal of PTSD was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for scheduling a videoconference hearing on whether new and material evidence has been received in order to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective June 1, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating and denied both issues on appeal.

The Veteran's hearing loss is service-connected, and his PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent. The Board finds that the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent prior to July 11, 2016 and at 70 percent thereafter. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were met from August 22, 2013 onwards.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to address the Veteran's claims regarding his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with a new VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD. The evidence received since the July 2008 decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim (the Veteran's reported stressor of seeing someone die during basic training).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new examination and considering substantial additional evidence since the last decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective May 27, 2012. This rating reflects the severity of his symptoms, which include depression, occasional suicidal ideation, irritability, difficulty concentrating, sleep impairment, and auditory hallucinations.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol dependence have been evaluated, but the service connection for dizziness has not been established. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The issue of TDIU is remanded due to its interrelation with the newly established service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not related to his service-connected PTSD and did not find any other service-connected disability as a contributory cause of death. The immediate cause of death listed on the death certificate was sudden cardiac death, but there is no evidence linking this to the Veteran's service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current schizophrenia diagnosis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his acquired psychiatric disability, excluding PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and thus did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if any identified acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or due to other service-connected disabilities.