PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder gunshot wound was withdrawn. The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD, the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including investigating Private D.F.'s service record and scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder present at any time since May 2010.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. However, the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability was not incurred in-service and is not related to his active service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also not incurred in-service, are not related to his active service, and did not manifest within one year after separation from active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was also granted for bruxism as secondary to PTSD, and for peripheral neuropathy of the BLE and BUE due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's CAD was granted a disability rating of 60 percent, effective April 15, 2016.,PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy were denied increased ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's unemployability is based on his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety is related to his period of active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and microalbuminuria was denied. His claim for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, was not established. The issue of service connection for PTSD is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent disabling for PTSD have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and VA treatment records.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest possible effective date is April 24, 2012, which was when the Veteran submitted a claim to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining service treatment records, VA and private medical records, and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is pending. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for VA examinations to assess his respiratory disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records, as his PTSD symptoms have potentially worsened since the last evaluation in February 2013.