PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, paranoid type with depression and polysubstance abuse (previously PTSD) was granted effective April 2, 2004. The rating assigned is 100 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to result in reduced reliability and productivity, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, but not the level of impairment required for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing claims file and service personnel records. The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, as well as his claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae are still under consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability was found to not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent prior to October 31, 2012 and 70 percent thereafter. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded to allow for a VA examination and consideration of the liberalizing regulations pertaining to service connection for PTSD under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and insomnia, is granted. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is causally related to his military sexual trauma in service. The issue of onychomycosis remains pending as there are no VA treatment records available.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for PTSD and an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD. The Veteran did not file a claim prior to September 1, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to April 1, 2011, reflecting moderate occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, as well as fibromyalgia claimed as secondary to her psychiatric disorders, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is currently rated at 50 percent, effective November 24, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has waived the requirement for a timely substantive appeal and granted the Veteran's appeal to proceed with his claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for pelvic bone fracture and service connection for various conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including locating missing service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disability in either ear for VA compensation purposes, and thus cannot establish service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claim for left ear hearing loss is granted as there are chronic symptoms of hearing impairment in service. Service connection for tinnitus and PTSD are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome of the right knee and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, but his appeal for a higher rating prior to September 24, 2008, was not fully addressed as it is unclear if he received a full grant of benefits. His initial ratings for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and PTSD remain at 20% and 50%, respectively.

The Veteran's IBS with abdominal pain has been granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating. The Board finds that the Veteran's left hip, low back, neck, bilateral foot, and bilateral elbow disabilities may be related to his service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has ordered a remand for the VA to obtain and consider additional medical records, including those from the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, Orlando VA Medical Center, and Nanticoke General Hospital. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent. The combined rating for both conditions is 90 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since September 24, 2008. The decision grants a higher initial rating for PTSD.