PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability is sufficient to render him unemployable, and the Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with major depression and alcohol abuse; pancreatitis; and/or type II diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that a remand is necessary as the current VA examination report is inadequate for adjudication purposes.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective June 10, 2011. The Board finds that the criteria for a 50 percent rating are met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing and for issuance of a statement of the case on the issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are currently evaluated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The thoracic spine disability remains rated at 20 percent. Both conditions have not met the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is established and service connection has been granted. Other conditions are also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 28, 2007. He is also granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's motion for revision of the July 22, 2008 Board decision based on CUE was dismissed as the correspondence was improperly construed as a reconsideration request.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure to comply with VA's duty to assist in obtaining private treatment records from Moose Lake State Hospital.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety reaction, was manifested by symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, flashbacks, sleep impairment, mild impairment of memory, difficulty concentrating, disturbance in motivation and mood, and difficulty maintaining effective relationships. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches were denied as there is no current disability. The claim for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or Agent Orange exposure. The diabetes mellitus claim was denied because it did not manifest within a year after service. PTSD was not diagnosed during service and thus cannot be granted based on service connection.,The Veteran's competency to handle disbursement of VA benefits funds was found to be lacking.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was found to be permanently and totally disabling as of April 4, 2012. However, the appellant is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35 because she turned 27 years old before her father's permanent total disability rating became effective.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest communication establishing a claim was received on March 13, 2008, and the date entitlement arose was December 17, 2007. The effective date assigned is October 25, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any identified acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling new VA examinations, and providing updated VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge sitting at the RO due to the Veteran's failure to appear in April 2014 and his subsequent request for a hearing.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from Agent Orange exposure have resulted in a combined rating of 70 percent or higher, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his PTSD and other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been withdrawn. The remaining issues were either not addressed or denied.