PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and therefore cannot establish service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors could not be verified and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an increased rating for his mood disorder have been denied due to insufficient evidence of a service-connected stressor. The claim for PTSD specifically requires corroboration of the claimed in-service stressors, which has not been provided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his PTSD and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as the retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and psychiatric evaluations to determine the likely etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on whether his current psychiatric disabilities are related to military service or a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has found that his condition does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including depression, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not support a finding that any current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's request for a hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD is granted. The claim for a right foot bone spur is denied. Service connection for other conditions, including knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as PFB, are also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining statements from third parties and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders that may be present. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after all additional development is completed.

From December 30, 2004 to January 31, 2006, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, CAD, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records of his hospitalization at the Northampton VA medical center and providing him with VCAA notice related to a TDIU claim. The issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation for major depressive disorder with PTSD in excess of 50 percent from March 30, 2010 through November 29, 2010, from February 1, 2011 through October 31, 2011, and from December 1, 2011, and entitlement to a TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to January 6, 2012, and increased to 70 percent beginning January 6, 2012. The Veteran is now considered unemployable due to his PTSD.,Beginning February 3, 2012, the Veteran has been rated at 70 percent for PTSD and also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his conditions were found to be service-connected and not warranting an increased rating.

The Veteran's spouse was recognized as a dependent for purposes of an increase in his compensation award effective June 9, 2008. The claimant is entitled to this effective date based on the receipt of proof of dependents within one year of the November 19, 2008 rating decision that increased the PTSD rating to 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability, back disorder, and PTSD are being addressed.