PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service in Southeast Asia. The Board finds that the evidence of record does not clearly establish a link between his acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and his military service or service-connected PTSD, but further examination is needed to clarify this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 14, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was incurred in active service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a more contemporaneous VA examination of his PTSD and to consider the issue of TDIU. The current disability rating for PTSD with depression remains at 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in both ears and a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The Veteran's hearing loss is found to be directly related to his military service, while the psychiatric disorder is also considered to have been incurred during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Vet Centers and VA facilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence to support the occurrence of a personal assault in service, which is required for service connection based on such a stressor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to unclear diagnoses and need for further examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, and erectile dysfunction are currently under review.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating from December 21, 2003 to September 16, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent since March 24, 2009. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU rating is also part of the underlying claim for an increased initial evaluation.

The Veteran's schizophrenia was not incurred in service and is not related to service. The Board granted an earlier effective date for PTSD, assigned a 100% evaluation from October 10, 2000 to October 27, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine his current conditions and entitlement to benefits. The claims of service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, chronic foot infection, rheumatoid arthritis, and SMP are currently on hold pending completion of this development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 22, 2005. The symptoms have included poor sleep, nightmares, depression, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating.

The Board has granted increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, with a rating of 30 percent for each. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess his PTSD. The TDIU issue will also be deferred pending resolution of the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional VA examinations and the obtaining of relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening or establishing these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and is now being reviewed on the merits.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is now being reviewed on the merits.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been reopened and is now being reviewed on the merits.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate condition, ganglion cysts (right foot and left wrist), degenerative joint disease (upper and lower extremities), back condition, and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD are all pending and will be remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. This includes obtaining relevant treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.