PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

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The Veteran's appeal of the initial disability rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and increased the Veteran's PTSD rating to 70 percent, effective July 19, 2010. The other issues remain pending as they are not fully resolved.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 50 percent disability rating since March 8, 2004. The Board found that the current level of impairment warrants an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD. The decision is based on the merits of the case and not due to any presumption or new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective November 20, 2006. The symptoms include flattened affect, depressed mood, chronic sleep impairment, irritability, and disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD with depression. The TDIU claim will also be readjudicated.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective December 12, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, as well as his claims for higher ratings for various peripheral neuropathies and PTSD have been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence supports the grant of TDIU due to the cumulative effects of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to Alzheimer's disease, which is not service-connected. The Board finds that the appellant does not have legal entitlement to accrued benefits as no claims were pending at the time of his death and there are no existing ratings or decisions in her favor.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is now entitled to have his claim reviewed on its merits.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and the Board has dismissed this issue.