PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as his symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability warrants a 100 percent schedular rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA mental disorders examination.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to April 14, 2007. Since then, the rating has been increased to 70 percent. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, to include a rating in excess of 10 percent earlier than February 17, 2005, is denied as there are no compensable complications and the veteran does not require insulin or regulation of activities. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed PTSD is associated with a verified stressor of sustaining shrapnel injuries during service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence to support a higher evaluation for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, maintaining the current 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 12, 2001 for a 100% schedular evaluation for PTSD based on VA treatment records from January to April 2000.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient efforts in verifying the veteran's claimed stressors related to her sexual assaults during service. The veteran needs to provide additional evidence, such as military police records and local police reports.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information for verifying the veteran's claimed in-service stressors. The RO is instructed to attempt verification of these stressors and make a determination on whether the veteran was exposed to a stressor or stressors during service, which may affect his claim for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his employability. The VA needs to obtain an examination and opinion on the impact of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU due to incomplete medical records and inadequate notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran's left ear hearing loss was found to be manifested by an average pure tone threshold of 47.5 decibels and speech discrimination score of 94, which is not considered a disability under VA criteria. The Board also denied the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board has ordered the RO to obtain all of the veteran's medical treatment records since July 2006 and provide him with a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD. Further, the veteran must be provided notice that meets the requirements set out in Vazquez-Flores v. Peake.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is characterized by deficiencies in most areas of social functioning and some areas of occupational functioning, including sleep disturbance with nightmares, hypervigilance, impaired impulse control, and difficulty establishing effective relationships. The VA has assigned a 30 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further investigation of the veteran's claimed stressors and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.