PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, and a sleep disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent. The appeal for an increased rating has been granted.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of hearings at the Huntington, West Virginia, RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as his statements and medical evidence support a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressors. The claim for increased rating for prostate cancer residuals was also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to his military service.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has PTSD, and therefore service connection for PTSD is not warranted.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion from a VA cardiologist regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, and/or PTSD. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically an examination to determine if her current psychiatric disorders are related to military sexual trauma in service.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms that approximate but do not exceed occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his PTSD does not render him unemployable due to his symptoms, and he has other non-service connected conditions that affect his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, as his combined evaluation is 80 percent.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, are related to her service. Additionally, she will be asked to provide evidence that corroborates her claim of receiving letters from J.H. during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there was no pre-October 24, 2006, claim. The claim for service connection for a bilateral neurological disorder of the arms including carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded to obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% from February 9, 2009 to March 19, 2012 and in excess of 50% thereafter. The thoracolumbar strain with arthritis and disc disease warranted a 20% rating for the entire period on appeal. Left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 20% from November 1, 2010 to April 30, 2012 and in excess of 20% thereafter. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran was awarded an effective date of October 17, 2002 for the award of additional benefits on the basis of dependents due to his marriage and two children. The effective date is based on the date of receipt of claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension for extraschedular consideration if necessary.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive disorder and a healed fracture of the right great toe. The Board has determined that these conditions preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is not related to her service.