PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, spastic quadriparesis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The claim for higher rating on his low back disability was granted but with limitations. No specially adapted housing or temporary total evaluation due to treatment were awarded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability related to his active duty service, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The evidence is against a finding of such a connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and work history.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include depression and PTSD. The evidence received since the last final denial shows that the Veteran had a pre-existing depressive disorder which was not aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his major depressive disorder, and thus grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective January 27, 2012, as he met the schedular criteria for a combined disability rating of 70 percent due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that an effective date of June 17, 1991 is warranted for the grant of service connection for panic disorder without agoraphobia and non-military related PTSD as secondary to his service-connected histiocytic lymphoma.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's back disorder, effective from February 6, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD, TDIU prior to April 21, 2009, and service connection for residuals of poisoned water exposure at Camp Lejeune are all denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date is April 21, 2009, due to the reopening of his claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's cause of death is service-connected due to the prescribed medications for his service-connected disabilities causing multiple drug toxicity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a higher rating since April 28, 2006. He is also entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for updated VA examinations. The issues of service connection are inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder NOS with alcohol abuse are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that this rating is not sufficient to reflect his current level of disability.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD, the maximum available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Service connection for ischemic heart disease is also established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, chronic right arm rotator cuff disability, degenerative joint disease of the right elbow, and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome contributed substantially in bringing about his death. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection and increased ratings for hypertension, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and upper extremities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide examinations, and determine if there are any errors in the current evaluations.