PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied due to his failure to report for a VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from November 30, 2007. The current evaluation reflects the severity of his symptoms as productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the absence of the original hearing officer.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a psychosis, not otherwise specified, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder related to active military service.,Service connection was granted for post-fracture status, left supraorbital ridge with headaches, and assigned a 40% rating effective from March 6, 2008. A separate 30% rating was granted for the Veteran's headache disability related to this condition, and a 10% rating was granted for loss of the left supraorbital sensory nerve secondary to the post-fracture status.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further review of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. For his acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, an initial rating greater than 30 percent is denied. For his left ankle arthritis, a compensable rating prior to April 29, 2008, and effective November 1, 2012, is denied. For his right ankle arthritis, a compensable rating prior to August 6, 2010, and effective December 1, 2010, is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether his current acquired psychiatric disability is related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is not related to his military service and specifically does not stem from a sexual assault during basic training.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to the appellant, through his authorized representative, requesting withdrawal of the appeals in July 2013.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD remains in appellate status due to a remand by the Board, and he is scheduled for a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since June 29, 2007. The claim for a higher initial rating is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and PTSD have not been found to be related to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in a rating of 50 percent since October 12, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records and readjudicating the claim in light of additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis A and B, hypertension, migraine headaches, and hepatitis C have been denied. The initial rating claim for hypertension has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death. The appellant contends that the Veteran's suicide ideation and reckless behavior with his health caused his death.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted as service-connected, with the onset during service. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling.,Service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine remains pending due to lack of final adjudication.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.