PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that training and supplies for the construction of fishing poles are necessary to help the Veteran achieve maximum independence in daily living, based on medical opinions supporting this need.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent since August 8, 2016. The Board found that he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities from May 9, 2009 to August 29, 2014.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from November 28, 2017. The right ankle sprain remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and PTSD, was denied as there is no established link between his current diagnoses and his in-service passive-aggressive personality diagnosis. The Board found that the Veteran did not appear for a VA examination scheduled to clarify his diagnoses and provide etiology opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since February 6, 2018. The TDIU claim prior to this date was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The lung disorder claim is also reopened as new and material evidence was received.,Regarding hearing loss, a VA examination was conducted in March 2014 but did not consider the Veteran's exposure to loud noises during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral vestibular disease (vertigo) and denied service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic disability of the fallopian tubes. Service connection was also granted for ovarian cysts.

The Veteran's service connection claims are granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disorder, and other conditions. The appeal is based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression secondary to other service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and unclear nature of the Veteran's psychiatric diagnosis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting an initial rating of 100 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and MDD. The Veteran was treated for mental health issues during his time in Panama and continues to receive treatment for these conditions post-service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for PTSD. However, there is insufficient credible supporting evidence to corroborate his claimed in-service stressors, and the weight of the evidence is against a finding that his current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD was denied. Before April 30, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. Beginning April 30, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD caused more severe impairment in most areas.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, and thus the claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of medical opinions regarding the onset and causation of his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD and is also contesting a previous rating decision that denied his claim. The Board has decided to remand this case for further development, including obtaining treatment records from Ventura VA.