PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and opinions regarding service connection for psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran failed to report for a necessary VA examination and thus there is no legal entitlement to service connection. For the issue of increased rating for postoperative residuals of surgical removal of left exostosis talus, the Veteran's failure to appear for a necessary VA examination resulted in denial.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized for the entire period on appeal by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and its impact on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case to consider additional evidence and determine if a higher disability rating for PTSD is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete development and compliance with VCAA requirements. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, is REMANDED.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, and pain disorder, was found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating prior to January 1, 2009. Since then, it has met the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's skin disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU effective July 25, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 18, 2008. The evidence does not support a finding of total social and occupational impairment due to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 18, 2004. The appeal for a higher rating is denied as the disability does not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination. The issues of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and lumbar spine disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a video conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues include reopening his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as well as claims for tinnitus, skin cancer, and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated depression and alcohol dependence was rated at 50 percent from December 1, 2008 to July 20, 2010. From October 1, 2010 onwards, the disability rating remained at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a higher initial disability evaluation of 70 percent effective July 11, 2005. The VA also granted a 50 percent rating for his bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy effective May 11, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be causally related to fear of hostile military activity during service. The right knee and right elbow disabilities are not determined to be directly related to service, but may be secondary to a service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD and its medications, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his PTSD, and readjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that it warrants a rating in excess of 50 percent.