PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on employment. Additionally, he will be scheduled for examinations related to his service-connected eye disability, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and renal failure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating since June 15, 2010. The issue of entitlement to TDIU beginning June 15, 2010 is moot due to the granted higher rating for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's diagnosed anxiety disorder is etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist regarding the relationship between his current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities and service. The AOJ should also schedule the Veteran for a DRO hearing at the appropriate RO pertaining to his claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and erosive gastritis.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

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

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from February 3, 2011 onwards. The Board denied a higher rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a diagnosis for PTSD and an unspecified neurocognitive disorder, both of which are related to service. The evidence supports the conclusion that his symptoms of cognitive decline are due to self-medicating with alcohol.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for a separate rating for anxiety disorder, increased ratings for right hip and right knee disabilities, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted with an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg thrombophlebitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and depression), bronchitis, Hepatitis C, and a separate right leg disability. The claim for increased rating for neck disability is also denied as a matter of law.

The Board denied reopening the claim of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been received. The Veteran's preexisting gastrointestinal disorder was found not to be aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Board finds that his major depressive disorder is already service-connected, and thus the new condition cannot be linked to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and bilateral hearing loss. The psychiatric disorder claim is being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective March 27, 2012. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted for the disability throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and reconcile conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, PTSD), and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.