PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such. His claims for initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and chronic alcoholism are found to have caused his death from pancreatitis. The bilateral hip disability is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted due to the evidence showing a current diagnosis, credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, and a causal nexus between the diagnosed condition and the claimed in-service event.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 27, 2013. Prior to this date, the disability was rated as 30 percent from April 30, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and procedural actions, including a statement of the case on service connection for hypertension and scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the etiology of each current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination of the Veteran's low back disability. The issue of a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD, effective January 23, 2009. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased rating for PTSD and an earlier effective date for the award of service connection. The Board has determined that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the October 23, 2008, rating decision granting service connection for PTSD with a 70 percent disabling rating effective from February 25, 2004. However, the Veteran wishes to pursue claims regarding an earlier effective date for the award of service connection and an increased rating for PTSD. The Board has remanded these matters due to procedural defects.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and status-post fracture traumatic arthritis of the left second metacarpal, ulnar nerve entrapment, and peripheral neuropathy of the left hand. The diagnoses are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied. The Board found that the current evidence did not support a finding of a current disability for either condition.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a TDIU, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of a decision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the January 10, 2003, decision. The Veteran's claims were not supported by clearly specific allegations of fact or law.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's service-connected TBI is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent), and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the RO, as requested by the Veteran. The appeal is not about service connection and thus does not involve any conditions or exposure basis.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective March 15, 2007. The Board found that the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria for a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's TDIU rating was granted effective January 14, 2009. The Board found that a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis should have been granted as early as November 19, 2006.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits, which were granted based on his service-connected PTSD. The case has been remanded to determine if there was clear and unmistakable error in a 1975 rating decision denying service connection for mental and nervous condition.