PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board denied service connection for PTSD but granted service connection for Bipolar Disorder. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others were denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 30 percent since January 10, 2006. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted (increased rating to 70%) while others were denied (earlier effective date).

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board finds a 70 percent disability rating is appropriate for the entire rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 9, 1993 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent evaluation effective January 31, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for an increased rating for PTSD, for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and for service connection for a bilateral knee condition prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and a depressive disorder. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a supplemental opinion regarding PTSD and an examination to determine the etiology of his left knee disability.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are related to his service. The Board finds no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability prior to July 26, 2012 and for service connection of a mental disorder. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the schedular criteria. The Board finds that this level of impairment is commensurate with the symptoms and functional impact described in the record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and issuing a Statement of the Case on the issue of an earlier effective date for lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD. The claim has been remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 9411, due to significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD with depression, and for obtaining any outstanding private or VA treatment records. The Veteran may also submit lay statements from himself and others who have firsthand knowledge of his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of the appeals related to right ear hearing loss, migraine headaches as residuals of a traumatic brain injury, and left ear hearing loss. The remaining claims are TDIU and increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and develop the claims for increased ratings for PTSD, migraine headaches, and TDIU. The VA will also seek any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records and reviewing the evidence to determine if service connection can be granted for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder that includes PTSD, MDD, and anxiety.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtaining any outstanding treatment records.