PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5. His TBI and associated amnestic disorder were service connected, but his anxiety and depression diagnoses are considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The issues of entitlement to an extraschedular rating for tinnitus and TDIU are also being deferred at this time.

The Board has determined that the character of the appellant's discharge from service is a bar to VA compensation benefits, and has ordered additional development to determine if the appellant was insane at the time he committed offenses leading to his bad conduct discharge.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating prior to May 26, 2017. The effective date for DEA benefits was established as October 18, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, right ankle disorder, and right ring finger volar plate fracture.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and his bilateral Terrien's marginal degeneration is rated at 10 percent. The Board denied the TDIU claim as the evidence did not show that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for a VA examination using DSM-5 criteria. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and procurement of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including recurrent tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, and bilateral hearing loss, are found to be related to his military service. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU due to the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidentiary development due to new medical evidence submitted after a previous supplemental statement of the case.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder, are not related to his service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service stressors or a nexus between current diagnoses and active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were manifested by occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decreased work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress. A rating of 10 percent was granted for PTSD prior to June 11, 2014.

The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD is service connected based on credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. Service connection for PTSD and a depressive disorder are granted. The Veteran also has been diagnosed with porphyria cutanea tarda related to his service. Other claims have not met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds a 70 percent rating is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to have caused significant impairment, but not severe enough for a higher rating. The issues of service connection for trauma to the brain and respiratory disability were also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including hearing loss, gout, stomach disorder, and psychiatric disability. The Board has determined that further examination is necessary to address the severity of these conditions.,The Veteran claims service connection for gout (of the left knee and feet) and a stomach disorder. A VA examination is needed to determine if these disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been reopened, but the underlying claim remains denied.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 60 percent prior to March 31, 2015 and the issue of a higher rating on or after that date is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have been granted, but the ratings for both conditions are not increased beyond what was originally assigned.