PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 6, 2012. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's persistent adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is granted as service-connected, and a 30% disability rating has been assigned. Service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, prostate cancer, and a disability characterized by generalized body pain to include gout. The TDIU claim is also addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD ratings are being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and ensuring the Veteran has access to medical records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded concurrently.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not attributable to service. The VA examinations and medical opinions provided no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a distinct and separate disability of PTSD that is not related to his already service-connected panic disorder.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including an earlier effective date for ischemic heart disease and PTSD. The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD but the other claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD have been granted service connection, with ratings for PTSD ranging from 50% to 100% based on the severity of symptoms.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease, status post stents associated with herbicide exposure. The claim for an earlier effective date on the basis of CUE for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating of 70 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for tinnitus and irritable bowel syndrome (to include as secondary to PTSD), but not for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, skin cancer, or degenerative joint disease of the left knee or right knee. The Veteran's hypertension was also found not to be related to service.

The Veteran's left knee strain is not related to military service, and the Board finds that service connection for a left knee condition is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to a verified in-service stressor, and service connection for PTSD is granted. The claims of alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis abuse are also granted as they are considered new and material evidence that supports the claim.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's TBI residuals and PTSD have been granted service connection, with a 70% disability rating for PTSD effective October 31, 2013. The Veteran has also been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but did not find such evidence in the case of a claim for PTSD. The decision on the left wrist disability is pending as it was previously denied based on lack of line-of-duty status.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted as service connected due to a confirmed in-service stressor related to combat in the Vietnam War.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and an acquired psychiatric disability (severe psychotic depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorder) due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, it has been determined that there is no link between the Veteran's current PTSD diagnosis and an in-service stressor, specifically being hit by a chair during active duty. The claim for TBI and its residuals was also denied as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.