PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and status post total left knee replacement were denied due to lack of a nexus between service and current disability. The claim for IHD was not addressed as it is not part of the appeal.

The Veteran's lung cancer and PTSD are not service-connected, with the lung cancer being denied due to lack of evidence linking it to military service. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling prior to May 16, 2012. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU for his service-connected disabilities prior to May 10, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since February 23, 2013, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion. The examiner must determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is related to military service or if it was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies, or erectile dysfunction.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety is not related to her service. Her hypertension was also not shown to be caused by or aggravated by her service. The Board denied both claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD with claustrophobia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The increased rating claim for asbestosis is remanded. The TDIU issue remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's right foot disability and left foot disability are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder that manifested during service or is otherwise related to service. His current depression was diagnosed post-service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was granted, and his effective date for service connection for PTSD was advanced to May 24, 2016 based on new evidence.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from June 12, 2017. Prior to that date, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 70 percent disabling since May 7, 2015. Prior to that date, he was granted an initial 70 percent rating for his PTSD.,The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD, effective from May 7, 2015.

The Veteran's depression is caused by her other service-connected disabilities, specifically her vision loss.,PTSD was not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's service. The Veteran's sleep disorder (insomnia) associated with PTSD and her bilateral eye disorder are also related to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since October 2008, with a temporary total rating of 100 percent from May to July 2009. The Board has also granted a TDIU rating effective prior to May 11, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to November 17, 2014. The Board has now granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective June 22, 2007 and awarded TDIU effective that date.

The appeal of service connection for a right shoulder disability is dismissed. Service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (to include depressive disorder) are denied, as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or evidence linking the disorders to service. Service connection for shin splints is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and voiding dysfunction as a residual of prostate cancer were denied due to his failure to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an addendum opinion regarding PTSD under DSM-IV and whether it is aggravated by service-connected thoracic spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the June 2017 decisions regarding increased ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD, as well as service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service event, specifically witnessing an airplane crash.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension is denied. The preponderance of evidence does not establish a link between his hypertension and his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and GERD, finding that there is insufficient evidence to support these claims.