PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD and granted service connection for both PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that there is credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and a link between current symptoms and those stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased initial disability rating of PTSD, which was previously granted with a 30% rating. The RO has ordered the Veteran to be examined and requested additional records from VA and Social Security Administration.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and squamous cell carcinoma of the right parotid gland with effective date set at August 15, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues are whether he can establish service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD, with the latter not linked to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than March 14, 2008 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder and for a higher initial disability evaluation. The Veteran's claim was not considered as a claim for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal disorder is not service-connected, and the issues of service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus are denied.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus with a 10% rating effective March 6, 2004. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection are not addressed as they have been referred back to the RO.

The VA determined that the appellant does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and/or depression, that is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, which reflects moderate occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records from a Shreveport VA facility. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression were rated at 10 percent prior to November 18, 2011, but increased to 30 percent effective from that date. The rating for left ankle sprain was also increased.

The Board has decided that further development is needed, including obtaining SSA disability records and adjudicating the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for further development, including providing the Veteran with notice and a VA examination to address his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for an additional evaluation of his PTSD as there are no clinical or examination records after December 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 30 percent prior to June 24, 2010 and increased to 30 percent effective from that date. The Veteran also has a separate rating for postoperative right mid shaft ulna fracture.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of the issues related to his PTSD disability rating and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired mental disability, specifically Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is considered a direct result of his military service in the Gulf War.

Service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus has been granted effective December 5, 2005.

From June 1, 2001 to December 15, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD caused significant occupational and social impairment.,Since December 16, 2008, his PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

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