PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU. The case is being remanded for further development of the record to address issues such as FMLA records, a new examination for TDIU, additional audio examinations, and clarification on Worker's Compensation benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that no decision on his initial claim for a neuropsychiatric disorder had been issued, and thus he could not have a pending claim at the time of the April 2005 grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new Board hearing. The issues of PTSD and radiculopathy remain on hold, as does the total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD has been granted by a September 2010 rating decision, making the appeal moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of CUE in the October 1981 rating decision that assigned a 30 percent disability rating for PTSD, finding no clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood without total occupational and social impairment. The criteria for a 70 percent rating have been met.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his original claim in September 2006.

The Veteran's bilateral weak feet are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms most closely approximate those under DC 5284.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board determined that the Veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal with respect to his claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for PTSD, and thus denied this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Afghanistan and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of in-service stressors and their relationship to his current symptoms. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further development, including obtaining VA medical records from specific locations and attempting to obtain SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to service, including revising his reported stressors and obtaining VA medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if hypertension is secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II or PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the retrieval of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD has been denied as the earliest possible effective date provided by law is June 28, 2007. The TDIU claim is also addressed and requires further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, is denied. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and concussion are remanded.