PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's chronic left wrist disability and PTSD were denied service connection. The issues of an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, and TDIU are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The claims for PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and idiopathic gastroparesis are also being addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD and lumbar spine disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to February 1, 2005. His service-connected conditions were considered in determining his eligibility for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressor was not credible due to inconsistencies in his statements.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, a comprehensive employment evaluation, and an examination to determine if his service-connected PTSD prevents him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including as due to a service-connected left foot fracture, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,The Veteran did not experience any in-service dental trauma or bone loss resulting in missing teeth for purposes of outpatient treatment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and the RO assigned a 70 percent rating effective October 15, 2007. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for hepatitis C resulting from a July 1997 VA surgery is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent effective October 27, 2008. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.,There is no evidence of kidney disease or hypertension during service or within one year post-service. Neither condition is linked to service-connected conditions and there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection with depleted uranium exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary panic disorder was rated at 50 percent prior to January 16, 2012. Effective January 16, 2012, the rating for his PTSD increased to 100 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity for the period prior to May 21, 2013. For the period on and after May 21, 2013, the disability is not shown to warrant a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that a comprehensive VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's PTSD, including whether it is related to military sexual trauma during her service. The RO must also send the Veteran updated VCAA notice regarding evidence from sources other than her service records that may corroborate her account of the stressor incident.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include anxiety disorder. The Veteran's testimony and medical evidence have been considered in establishing this connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the appeal period began, and his TDIU claim is granted as he is unable to secure or maintain gainful employment due to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and MDD have been rated at 50 percent, but the evidence shows that his disability warrants a higher rating. The Board has granted an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by symptoms most comparable to deficiencies in most areas, including an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The RO granted a staged rating of 70 percent for the period from April 27, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in-service that would support an incurrence or aggravation, and the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam. The Board finds that his current PTSD does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as it meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and there is credible evidence linking current symptoms to in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the current medical evidence is insufficient to fully and fairly evaluate the Veteran's appeal as it is unclear if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder during the appeal period. Therefore, the case is being remanded to obtain an updated VA examination.