PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board videoconference hearing. He requested hearings on his claims of service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for arterial hypertension is moot due to its grant. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, PTSD, and allergic rhinitis have all been found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, eye conditions, coronary artery disease, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since December 7, 2010. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted throughout the appeal period based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all issues except the earlier effective date for PTSD. The Board is dismissing these claims as a result.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and PTSD. Diabetes mellitus is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Prostate cancer is also presumed as it is linked to the same exposure. PTSD is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,High blood sugar is not a separate condition but rather a symptom of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating since May 22, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is caused by his active military service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to September 17, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and additional treatment records. The examiner will determine if PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder is related to in-service stressors of seeing dead bodies while serving in Coast Guard search and rescue.

The Veteran's PTSD (previously diagnosed as panic disorder with agoraphobia and insomnia to include anxiety) due to sexual assault has been productive of occupational and social impairment, warranting a continuation of the 70 percent disability rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS has been rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for gastritis and panic disorder, as well as service connection for PTSD and tinnitus, was granted. The rating for panic disorder has been increased to 70 percent from December 7, 2016 onwards.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for a back disability and psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to include depression, has been withdrawn.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 19, 2009 for the award of service connection for PTSD as comorbid with the service-connected TBI. The Veteran's initial claim was filed on July 15, 2009, within one year of his separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD.