PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 20, 2009 for service connection of PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on the association between his service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea. The case will be reconsidered after an additional examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD and for an evaluation of whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities. The issues of entitlement to increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent rating for the period prior to October 13, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), but with the condition being presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective May 24, 2005. The Board has granted a TDIU prior to August 20, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective March 28, 2013. The claim for a higher evaluation remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective April 15, 2013. The claim remains in appellate status as the maximum benefit has not been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that there was no new evidence to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and providing proper VCAA notice regarding in-service personal assault or harassment. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions will be evaluated to determine if they are related to service, with particular attention given to any verified in-service personal assault event.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic headache disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's headaches in service are considered chronic, and her PTSD is linked to military sexual assault.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA and Vet Center records, scheduling a VA examination for skin lesions and PTSD, and readjudicating all issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his death, as well as whether his service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his COPD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a PTSD examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains before the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 17, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder was denied as he did not sustain an injury or disease in service and does not currently have a chronic residual disability of the right knee.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation, secondary to PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence that it is related to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's initial disability evaluation for left headaches prior to March 31, 2011, was granted at a 30% rating. However, the claim for an increased rating from March 31, 2011, has not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since May 10, 2007 and has been rated as such ever since. Prior to that date, the rating was also 50 percent.