PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and clarification, including addressing new theories of entitlement such as personal assault and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar strain claim was not granted, as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine between 30 and 60 degrees or a combined range of motion less than 120 degrees. For the knee disability, prior to April 9, 2010, there were no compensable symptoms; from that date, the Veteran's left knee had flexion to at least 135 degrees with pain. Service connection was granted for PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, but the evidence is insufficient to establish a diagnosis of PTSD. The claim for bipolar disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and additional development, including a new VA examination, is needed to adjudicate the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disorder was denied as there is no evidence of current disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current right shoulder disorder due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a right eye disability was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition based on evidence linking it to Agent Orange exposure or as secondary to other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and information regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and employment information, as well as for a VA examination. The case will be reconsidered with consideration of extra-schedular considerations if applicable.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain records related to a non-judicial punishment and other service personnel records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and PTSD, as well as to evaluate his service connection claims.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have most nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period, warranting a 100 percent schedular rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and prostate cancer residuals have been granted higher initial ratings, with the PTSD rating now at 100% effective July 15, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and the VA examinations found no evidence to support a PTSD diagnosis. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. However, the Board granted service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, finding that the evidence supported a finding of continuity of symptomatology since military discharge.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU were denied as the earliest possible effective date is January 26, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by total occupational and social impairment, due to panic-like symptoms, irritability, social isolation, poor concentration, and severe depression. The Board grants a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD prior to July 18, 2011.

The Veteran's effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits is set to May 3, 1984, the date he was granted a 100% rating for his service-connected PTSD.