PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting statements about hearing preferences and the need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's wishes regarding a hearing before the Board must be clarified.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective from May 31, 2006. The diagnosis of PTSD was established on that date based on the DSM-IV criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted with a 70 percent evaluation, but his claims for bilateral hearing loss and peptic stomach ulcer were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his PTSD claim, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service connected due to in-service sexual trauma.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and finds that new and material evidence has been received to support his claims for service connection. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination to address the etiology of any sinus disorder present, as well as a C&P examination to determine the nature and etiology of his cervical spine condition and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the July 2006 decision denying reopening of his previously denied PTSD claim is final, and thus no earlier effective date can be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The previously denied claim for service connection for asbestosis (claimed as pneumoconiosis) has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU was denied as the earliest date he met the schedular requirements for a TDIU was January 12, 2009. The case is being remanded to consider whether a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating from October 17, 2007 through May 12, 2010. From May 13, 2010, the symptoms have resulted in more severe impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and an evaluation of whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective September 7, 2010. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be attributable to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a lower back disorder and PTSD based on an in-service personal assault are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including providing proper notice under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5103(a)(1) and considering the issue of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and a generalized anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are linked to his military service. The issues of service connection for residuals of mercury poisoning, hepatitis C, and bipolar disorder as well as the claim for TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of increased rating for sleep apnea and service connection for sinusitis. The right knee disability, GERD, PTSD, left hip disability, fatigue, and orthopedic foot disorder claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for more contemporaneous examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected psychiatric disability and deep venous thrombosis, as well as for obtaining any relevant VA outpatient treatment records.