PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise a July 2005 decision that denied an earlier effective date for PTSD, finding no clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea. His sleep apnea remains at a 100% rating from December 1, 2009, to May 19, 2013, but drops back to a 50% rating thereafter. The Veteran's ED claim is denied.

The Veteran's combined rating of 70 percent due to service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disorders do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as his initial claim was not appealed within one year and he did not file a new claim until May 18, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice of a videoconference hearing. The issues are whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his PTSD claim, and entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the grant of service connection, and a higher rating is warranted based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent disability rating effective December 30, 2009. He is also granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating for PTSD was not granted as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a perforated ear drum is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during his active duty or thereafter. The claims for headaches and psychiatric disability are also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence supporting the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the hip joints is pending. The claim for a skin rash has been reopened but remains denied as new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II is granted. The low back disability claim was previously denied and reopening was granted due to new evidence received. Service connection is established based on a finding that the current condition is related to active duty.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatica and plantar fasciitis remains pending as new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The eye disability claim was previously denied but reopened due to new evidence received, however no service connection is granted as there is no link between current condition and active duty.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, major depression, anxiety disorder) claim remains pending as new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board has granted a higher rating to 70 percent effective July 25, 2011. The headaches are rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to missing service records and unavailability of private treatment records. The case will be reviewed after the necessary steps are taken.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD consistent with DSM-IV criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 30 percent, effective August 7, 2008. The RO also decreased the rating for head injury residuals to 0 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to February 5, 2009. The symptoms included anxiety, depression, and sleep impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The right shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, but is presumed due to a post-service injury. The right knee disability is also not linked to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective December 16, 2009. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including hearing loss and spine conditions, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support the current diagnoses.,Service connection could not be established for any of the claimed disabilities due to a lack of credible evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not significantly impair his occupational and social functioning.