PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his employability and determine if he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor of military sexual trauma, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD, did not begin during or as a result of his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service sexual trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, thus the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD is due to a personal assault during his military service and grants the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and the evidence is at least in relative equipoise concerning whether these disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining employment that could be considered substantially gainful versus just marginal in comparison.

The Board denied all claims including service connection for PTSD, atrial arrhythmia with pacemaker (construed as ischemic heart disease) (heart disorder), and diabetes. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and bilateral hearing loss were also not granted increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an updated examination and a medical opinion regarding GAF scores.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of aggravation of a pre-existing foot condition during service and that there is no credible supporting evidence to establish the occurrence of any in-service stressor related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to sustain social or working relationships and permanently and totally disabled, warranting a 100 percent schedular rating. As such, the issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the examination report and further development is required.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be no more than 30 percent disabling prior to March 5, 2010 and no more than 70 percent disabling as of that date. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation folder and an opinion regarding his employability. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, addressing the issue of individual unemployability, and considering whether an extraschedular rating is warranted for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral pes planus, and hammertoes and a bunion of the right foot. The claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran is receiving the maximum schedular rating for residuals of status post right partial lateral meniscectomy.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and assigned an initial rating of 30 percent effective December 9, 2005. The VA determined that the Veteran's PTSD manifested with reduced reliability and productivity for the period prior to November 8, 2012, warranting a 50% evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the obtaining of outstanding medical records. The issues include seeking an increased evaluation for PTSD and determining whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as panic attacks and PTSD), left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, low back disorder, or neck disorder.