PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

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 personnel records and a VA examination.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD to include a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder. The case is REMANDED so that the Veteran's indicated fear of hostile military or terrorist activity can be addressed in determining whether he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. Further, the examiner should address whether his other diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have remained moderate since August 1, 2008. He is currently rated at 50 percent for PTSD and the Board finds that he meets criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, to determine if service connection can be granted for psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder is granted. The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran has these conditions due to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially to his death, as there was no evidence linking the heart conditions and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional evidence, including Social Security Administration records and a new VA examination addressing all theories of entitlement.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety. The claim was also denied for a higher evaluation for his left femur stress fracture with lateral myofascial thigh pain and for individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was not productive of total occupational and social impairment prior to October 23, 2012. Therefore, a higher rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and notification of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and hypertension are being remanded due to the missed VA examinations, outstanding VA treatment records, and need for further information regarding his in-service stressors. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if he has these conditions related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a higher rating of 50 percent effective October 27, 2010. The earlier effective dates for the Peripheral Vascular Disease were not granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and its impact on his occupational and social functioning. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to a lack of recent VA examination, potential private treatment records, and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 50 percent, effective from January 23, 2008 to March 29, 2010, and in excess of 30 percent from March 30, 2010 to October 2, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD and Depressive Disorder are granted service connection, but his low back disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim is pending.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and injuries, including heart disorder, thyroid disorder, left shoulder and elbow disorders, double hernia, PTSD, right and left knee disorders. The case is being remanded for further action regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing issue and will be scheduled for a video-conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for diabetes was denied, but his TDIU claim was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and increased ratings for tinnitus and PTSD have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion.