PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, were denied as there is no current diagnosed disability for VA purposes and the claimed stressor was not corroborated by credible supporting evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but did not cause total occupational and social impairment from February 28, 2006 to February 5, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his PTSD claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and any relevant lay statements.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, but finds that he has a current diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. The Bipolar Disorder is not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, nightmares, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances. The Board granted a rating of 50 percent for PTSD effective April 13, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric diagnoses are etiologically related to or were incurred during active service. The Veteran's claims of PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disabilities will be reviewed again after the examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of Battalion Roster for Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Signal Brigade for the training cycle of May 27, 1980 to August 1980 at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service stressor involving wrongful imprisonment and interrogation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not incurred in or caused by active service and was proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and other sleep symptoms are part of his PTSD and not a separate disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected.,Service connection for alcoholism, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, is also granted.,High cholesterol is not a compensable disability and therefore cannot be granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hip disorders and psychiatric issues. The primary reasons were lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and updated treatment records, as well as the inextricably intertwined nature of his TDIU claim. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and residuals of a back strain have been decided. The claim for PTSD was denied, the claim for bipolar disorder was granted, and the claim for residuals of a back strain has been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent prior to December 16, 2013. The Board found that from May 30, 2001 to December 16, 2013, the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating were met.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's current PTSD is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The skin infections on the chest are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions. The TDIU issue will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, are rated at a combined 90 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unemployable due to their severity and impact on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran served in Vietnam and reported experiencing stressors related to his service.