PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD was granted effective June 12, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence is factually ascertainable for a 100% rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since September 7, 2007. For the period from June 12, 1993 to December 3, 2001, a 50% rating is granted.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and insomnia, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service or a service-connected disability. The claim for higher initial rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and for VA examinations. The issues of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined and will be deferred until the development is completed.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his PTSD was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD due to missing medical records and a need for a new examination. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA medical opinions and other procedural issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA clinical psychologist or psychiatrist regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to individual unemployability for further development, including a VA examination and an opinion regarding the combined effect of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to May 15, 2013. His alcohol dependence and marijuana abuse are each rated at 70 percent. The rating for his compulsive gambling remains at 70 percent. However, the decision on these issues is mixed as some conditions have been granted while others remain unchanged.

The Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, were not incurred in service. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or establish a link between current symptoms and military service.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, related to his active service.

The Board found that there was not clear, credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressor and concluded that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD with depression, could not be established. The issue of a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss from June 30, 2008 is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression NOS, and anxiety NOS is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical record and need for clarification regarding pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.,The Veteran is entitled to an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches.,Service connection has been granted for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. The Veteran's skin disorder is also service connected as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. Service connection has not been established for a respiratory disorder or sleep disturbance.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions. Other claims of service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss increased in severity during his second period of active service, and the Board has granted service connection by way of aggravation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability and right hip disability. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim of residuals of brain injury (PTSD). Additionally, the Board determined that there was no causal relationship between any of the claimed conditions and service.