PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective August 31, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and ischemic heart disease, SMC based on housebound status, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, requesting authorization to obtain additional treatment records from Dr. Kessler and other providers, and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file and a new VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 28, 2011. His TDIU claim was granted effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of records regarding the Veteran's claimed parachuting incident.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused significant impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations for his PTSD and right knee disability, as well as to obtain any recent treatment records. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking his current psychiatric disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of her TDIU claim.

PTSD has been rated at 70 percent from June 8, 2007 to March 22, 2012.,PTSD is now rated at 100 percent since March 22, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent from June 19, 2008 to May 7, 2009.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, with one disability rated at more than 40 percent and combined rating of over 70 percent. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether he is unemployable by reason of these disabilities alone.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed PTSD was not incurred during active service due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the in-service stressor.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims file, including obtaining recent treatment records and clarifying a discrepancy in her mental health assessment.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his other diagnosed conditions do not permanently preclude him from engaging in all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a finding of disability as defined by VA regulation. Therefore, service connection for hearing loss is denied.