PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to more severe symptoms such as suicidal ideation or near-continuous panic affecting ability to function independently.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's current mental health disabilities, specifically whether they are related to witnessing a soldier's death during basic training.

The case is being remanded for further development, including an advisory opinion from a vocational rehabilitation specialist regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The AOJ should then review the record and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records, make a combat determination, and for an examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Board has determined that the earliest claim for PTSD was received by VA on May 20, 1999. Therefore, an effective date earlier than May 20, 1999, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's combined schedular disability rating is at least 80%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, as they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is competent to handle his own VA benefits and manage his funds without limitation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service and is not shown to be related to his military service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at her scheduled Travel Board hearing. She is required to provide a new opportunity for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, right leg thrombosis and cellulitis, left leg thrombosis and cellulitis, PTSD, and Depressive Disorder NOS have been granted. The appeals are resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a PTSD examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of an increased evaluation for low back strain.

The Board has ordered a remand to review the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional information regarding the severance of service connection for PTSD and the recoupment of separation pay. The full records from the VA Office of Inspector General will be requested, as well as an audit showing the amounts withheld or recovered.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the ratings for recurrent major depressive disorder with psychotic features, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and PTSD, as well as irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the claims must be remanded for new VA examinations to properly assess the Veteran's current level of disability due to his service-connected PTSD, depressive disorder not otherwise specified, and panic disorder without agoraphobia, as well as his left ankle sprain. Additionally, all relevant VA treatment records from 1991 to present should be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was granted. The appeals seeking service connection for hypertension, a left knee injury, an anxiety disorder, a fractured jaw, a bilateral shoulder disability, a bilateral hand disability, right great toe DJD, and right foot plantar calcaneal spurs were withdrawn by the Veteran. Appeals seeking increased initial ratings for tinnitus and PTSD and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remain pending.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to January 21, 2013 have not resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment from December 1, 2008 to December 8, 2010, warranting a 30 percent rating.