PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's PTSD disability has been rated at 30 percent since July 27, 2009. The VA determined that the condition results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his claim for service connection of numbness in the right leg is denied due to lack of evidence supporting direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the duty to assist the Veteran has not been fully met with regard to his claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and alcohol abuse. The appeal is remanded to attempt verification of the Veteran's reported in-service stressful events.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, including a review of VA records and an examination by a VA psychiatrist or psychologist to assess whether PTSD is related to the Veteran's account of a noncombat stressor incident in April 1969.

The Veteran's PTSD to include anxiety and depression was rated at 30 percent prior to December 9, 2011. The rating has since been increased to 70 percent from December 9, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from July 17, 1997 to May 13, 2008. From May 14, 2008, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for urethral stricture disease, effective February 1, 2012. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence regarding his groin injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran not receiving notices for VA examinations and a hearing before the Board. The case will be returned to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are incurred in active duty, with service connection being granted.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and tinnitus service connection have been granted, with the effective dates set at May 15, 2008 for PTSD and May 26, 2010 for tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and schizophrenia. However, the evidence does not establish a verified in-service stressor or current diagnosis of PTSD related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Hepatitis C were denied, while his claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms such as sleep disturbance, irritability, feelings of detachment from family, anxiety and panic-like symptoms, flat affect, and social avoidance but generally getting along well with family and co-workers. The disability did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to December 5, 2011 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent. Since December 5, 2011, his PTSD has met the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability. The claims of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disability related to service, and his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are directly related to service. The claim for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.