PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unemployable from November 7, 1996 to October 6, 2002.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and PTSD due to the Veteran's request for additional records from the Rockford Vet Center Outstation.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, TBI, low back disorder, and residuals of a right hand fracture have been granted. The claim for an eye disorder was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's conditions are related to his service and have granted service connection for all claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of May 22, 1996.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection has been granted, and he is now entitled to a TDIU as of September 9, 2008. The right knee increased rating issue remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his in-service stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and schizophrenia is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The examiner must address whether there are indications of sexual abuse during service, the likelihood that her current PTSD is related to this assault, and whether any diagnosed psychiatric conditions had their onset in service or are otherwise related to her active duty military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding service connection for pancreatic cancer due to herbicide exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran is seeking benefits for her son W.C., who has been diagnosed with PTSD and Depressive Disorder NOS. The Board has determined that the eligibility requirements for helpless child status are unclear, as it is not clear whether W.C. was a member of the Veteran's household at the time he turned 18 years old. Additionally, there is uncertainty regarding his incapacity to self-support prior to age 18.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lung disability, and multiple-joint arthritis have been denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD has been remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective July 17, 1998. The rating for bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus, right foot remains at 30 percent. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms more nearly approximate a 70 percent disability rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relationships, judgment, thinking or mood.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for his PTSD and to consider the TDIU claim. The case will be readjudicated after all development has been completed.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for further examination and development of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with cataracts.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination. The case will be reviewed again and an additional examination may be necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to service. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.