PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since August 28, 2009. The Board also found that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU as of this date due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, with the latter receiving a 50 percent rating effective July 16, 2010. The Veteran's symptoms of severe nightmares, avoidance, social isolation, depression, anger, and panic attacks are considered in determining the appropriate disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and personnel information. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, requesting mental health treatment records from service, and scheduling a VA examination by a psychiatrist to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the appellant's representative, including medical records and a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing at the RO in Wilmington, Delaware. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and left knee arthritis are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing before a third Veterans Law Judge at the Providence, Rhode Island RO. The case will be returned to the Board following completion of this action.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected muscle sheath herniation of the anterior right leg warrants a rating of 10 percent, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5326. The claim for an increased evaluation was denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disability related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia is not service-connected as it was not incurred or aggravated by her periods of active and inactive duty for training.,There is no evidence of a right shoulder disorder during the Veteran's periods of ACDUTRA, nor any current diagnosis.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,PTSD was initially rated at 30% prior to July 22, 2010 and increased to 50% thereafter. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating remains in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and bipolar disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, to his military service. Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran did not have a personal assault during service and thus could not establish an in-service stressor for PTSD.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, and he received a TDIU effective October 30, 2007. The effective date of the TDIU is based on his original claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and records, as well as for further development of the hearing loss claim. The psychiatric disorder claim will be evaluated based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other conditions. The appeal also includes a claim for a temporary total evaluation based on hospitalization for her psychiatric disabilities. Further development of the record is needed to address these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that no CUE existed in previous rating decisions, and that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met as the award was based on new and material evidence received after a final denial.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 20, 2008, with no higher rating possible.