PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 1, 2006. The Board found that the current rating of 50 percent is inadequate and granted a higher evaluation to 70 percent effective July 1, 2008.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD and found that there is at least a 50% probability that his current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to or had its onset in service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service. The claim for depressive disorder remains pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to February 6, 2011 and is now rated at 70 percent from January 31, 2014. The appeal for a higher rating has been granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression with mental breakdown, but denied his claim for service connection for PTSD. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of a personal assault stressor and consideration of all psychiatric diagnoses in accordance with Clemons.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess his PTSD and adding all outstanding VA treatment records. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been raised by the record.

The Veteran's PTSD, right and left patellofemoral pain syndromes have been rated based on their current manifestations. The RO has remanded the case for further development to determine if there is any additional evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 17, 2008. The rating is based on the current manifestations of his condition and does not exceed this level.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral pes planus and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 24, 2001 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for PTSD are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 21, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects the limitation of motion and associated symptoms. His bilateral hearing loss is also rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The upper respiratory disability issue is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of PTSD and to address the issue of employability due to PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since June 25, 2009 and was increased to 50 percent effective March 29, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Headache Disorder is related to service, but his Residuals of a Head Injury and Acquired Psychiatric Disability (to include PTSD or Bipolar Disorder) are not related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's personality disorder is a congenital disease and does not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not aggravated by service or subject to superimposed disease or injury in service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any other psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is otherwise etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is a result of verified in-service stressors, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.