PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the appellant's claimed in-service stressor event, and thus denied service connection for PTSD. The Board also noted that other psychiatric diagnoses provided by competent medical professionals were not shown to be related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Montclair Hospital and providing the Veteran with a copy of her VA examination report.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted effective September 30, 2000. He is currently rated at 100 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to March 20, 2008 and then increased to 70 percent effective May 1, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU prior to July 1, 1997. The effective date of the award of TDIU was granted on July 1, 1997.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 10 percent prior to March 30, 2009 and increased ratings of 50 percent from March 30, 2009 through July 8, 2012, and 70 percent thereafter. The maximum rating for PTSD has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board also noted that additional development was required, including obtaining mental health records from active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic left knee or left ankle disability that is related to his service, and thus denied his claims for service connection in these areas. The psychiatric claim was also denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition within one year post-service.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor event, and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder was denied. The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed psychiatric disability that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as his diagnosis of PTSD is based on an in-service stressor event, which has been verified and supported by credible supporting evidence.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: a request for an increased disability rating for PTSD and a claim for TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination, and develop the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lipoma, previously claimed as body tumors, is granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at zero percent.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent since May 21, 2007 and increased to 30 percent effective October 16, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a higher rating of 50 percent since October 16, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations to assess his bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service as a military police officer in Berlin, Germany and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's total right knee replacement has been rated at 60 percent since December 1, 2008. The Board finds that the current rating is appropriate based on his symptoms and residuals.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 30, 2008. The disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD has been evaluated at a 50 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.