PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability will be evaluated again, and his employability due to service-connected disabilities will also be assessed.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent prior to March 20, 2009 and a 70 percent rating thereafter. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder with residuals, but the stomach disorder claim is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is service-connected based on evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated as 50 percent disabling since the effective date of service connection, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and whether he is unemployable due to this disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD and associated major depressive disorder have been rated at 50% since April 14, 2011, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment with occasional decreases in work efficiency.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to new evidence submitted. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for service connection. The claims for polysubstance abuse and addiction as well as spleenomegaly remain pending due to insufficient information.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since July 13, 2010. He is also granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further development, including obtaining SSA records related to the Veteran's disability claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no indication that she filed a formal or informal claim prior to February 4, 2008. The earliest effective date assigned is February 4, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and issuance of a statement of the case on the issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for a mood disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is evaluated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective April 23, 2009.

The Veteran's left inguinal hernia was granted service connection. However, his PTSD claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notification regarding further submission of evidence and scheduling a hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of occupational and social impairment.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 2, 2005 for the award of a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, depression, and breathing disorder (other than sleep apnea) are granted. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss and left leg disorder.