PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that remand is necessary to afford the Veteran a contemporaneous examination due to the lack of recent VA examination over four years ago.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but remands the case to obtain additional medical records and determine the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, and providing the Veteran with a psychiatric examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The RO will also consider whether attempting to corroborate his in-service stressors through JSRRC is necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board Hearing. The service connection issue remains unresolved and will be addressed in the future.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated based on the severity of symptoms, with a 50% rating prior to July 5, 2012 and a 70% rating from that date. The current ratings are considered appropriate given the Veteran's symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist to confirm the diagnosis of PTSD and identify a medical nexus to his experiences in Iraq. The case will be reviewed again after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling a new hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to assess any current headache disorder. The claims will be readjudicated after all evidence is considered.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD and depression not otherwise specified, has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks since May 26, 2010. Therefore, the Veteran is granted a 30 percent evaluation for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 24, 2009 for the grant of PTSD service connection is denied as his appeal was not timely filed and no new and material evidence was received within a year of the December 2007 denial.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, thus denying service connection for PTSD and related disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including examinations to assess the severity and etiology of his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim will be addressed separately.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his employability prior to August 29, 2007. The VA must obtain retrospective medical opinions regarding the impact of all service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his claim for a higher rating for PTSD. The remaining issues on appeal were resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran's claims due to inadequate development and review of his medical treatise evidence. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple physical injuries, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling prior to March 31, 2009. The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound residuals of the right and left thighs have resulted in moderate muscle damage/impairment, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional records from Social Security Administration and request an addendum opinion by the VA examiner.