PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and depression, are found to have been incurred in service. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since February 9, 2005. Prior to September 1, 2008, the disability was found to be more than sufficient for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of his stressor allegations.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of increased disability within one year prior to the March 1, 2001 effective date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of a claimed in-service stressor and thus insufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The case will be reviewed again after these steps are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and any relevant private health care providers' records. The Veteran's claim for a higher PTSD disability rating remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues are related to service connection and increased rating for PTSD and interstitial lung disease.

The Veteran's PTSD, Depression, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder have been granted initial evaluations of 50%, 30%, and 70% respectively prior to April 14, 2009. Since then, the evaluations for PTSD and Depression have been increased to 70%. The Veteran's OCD has also been rated at 70% since April 14, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, alcoholism and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to verify in-service stressors and obtain updated VA mental health examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially evaluated as 30 percent disabling prior to November 27, 2007. The evaluation remained at 30 percent after the initial grant of service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, headache disorder, and diabetes mellitus were also denied as there was no credible evidence to support their service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as he has a verified in-service stressor and current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn the appeal regarding his claim for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no credible evidence that an in-service stressor occurred, and the Veteran did not provide information to verify his claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a retired VLJ, and the Veteran requested a hearing before a current VLJ at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his TDIU claim, including consideration of all service-connected disabilities on employability.