PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as his claimed conditions are not of service origin.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and personnel records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 19, 2007. The appeal is granted for this rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by moderately severe impairment in social and occupational functioning, near-continuous anxiety and depression, and isolation; but not by gross impairment in thought processes, persistent delusions or hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, or persistent danger of hurting self or others. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of representation and additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review of the expanded record to adjudicate the issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, were found to have originated during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, as the Veteran and his representative withdrew this claim. The remaining issues of service connection for gout, skin disorders, left knee disorder, erectile dysfunction, and high cholesterol have been denied due to lack of evidence of an underlying disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and readjudication of the claims. The TDIU claim will be addressed in light of any new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was the result of his military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was unable to secure and maintain gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities as of October 27, 2006. The effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is set at this date.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 70 percent since August 9, 2012. The current evaluation reflects the most severe manifestations of his disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in both major depression and PTSD, including insomnia, as well as lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service and personal assault during basic training in November 1967.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the evidence, including obtaining VA clinical records and scheduling a VA mental health examination. The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD is currently pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether or not the Veteran has a psychiatric disorder related to his service. The RO is instructed to seek authorization from the Veteran for VA to secure Dr. Alcantar's records of treatment since 2001 and then arrange for any further development suggested by those records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional clarification of the VA examiner's opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD and depression, as well as to address his TDIU claim.