PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II, has been withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. Tinnitus is found to be related to service noise exposure.,PTSD meets the criteria for a 70 percent rating from September 11, 2012, and TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 16, 2013 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The earliest possible assignable effective date is being used.

The Board has determined that an effective date of December 2, 2012, but no earlier, is warranted for the assignment of a 30 percent evaluation for PTSD and TBI.

The Veteran had a permanent total disability from March 4, 2005 and the appellant was over the age of 18 but under the age of 26 at the time basic eligibility to DEA benefits has been established.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD since March 17, 2017. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to be more nearly approximating occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence received since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. However, the Board also determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in the record.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric examination to determine whether the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. The claim will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service connected disabilities. Therefore, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have its onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, manic depression, and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be returned to the Board after further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is REMANDED for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of all diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, and whether they are related to military service. Additionally, the case is also REMANDED for a VA esophageal examination to determine the nature and etiology of GERD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 25, 2013 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the presence and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders. The claim for service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities met both the schedular criteria for a TDIU and precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from October 31, 2011 to March 20, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is not causally related to or aggravated by an event, injury, or disease in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial disability rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, sinus condition, HTN, gastrointestinal disorder, residuals of a hysterectomy, skin condition, headaches, bilateral CTS, and psychiatric disorder are all service-connected based on direct evidence.