PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 1, 2001. The disability results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims may be caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, coronary artery disease, and type II diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded to provide a VA examination and address the issue of secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, alcohol and cannabis dependence, an alcohol-induced mood disorder, a pain disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and a sinus disorder. The denial is based on lack of evidence supporting these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD are related to his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided the case requires further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, specifically PTSD and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new medical opinion to determine if his service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease alone render him unable to find or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling prior to July 22, 2010 and 70 percent disabling beginning July 22, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, while his service-connected residuals of a crush injury to the left great and second toes were granted with a 20% disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, a right eye disability, rheumatic fever residuals, PTSD, and a dental condition. The decision is final as it was not appealed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not warrant a higher initial rating than 70 percent, and his claim for service connection of fibromyalgia is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, thus granting these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are not severe enough to prevent him from securing or following any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's hypertension is not presumed due to military service or Agent Orange exposure, but it may be related to his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's initial schedular rating for chronic sinusitis remains at 30 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis or near constant sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that there was no pending claim prior to October 18, 2007.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. The Board finds it necessary to remand the case due to the need for an examination and additional development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression is related to his service and grants this claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been dismissed due to withdrawal. The claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU was granted, with the effective date set at October 15, 1993, when he filed his original claim for PTSD.