PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and other relevant evidence. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU due to PTSD are denied as there was no pending claim prior to the April 2004 request to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeal regarding his initial compensable evaluation for hearing loss of the left ear. The claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD is granted, with a 70 percent evaluation effective from the date of the March 2014 hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, thus the claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the appellant's PTSD from May 12, 2004 and denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent. The appellant is also entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Schizoaffective Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his in-service stressor and his current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound was denied. The Board found that his service-connected PTSD did not cause him to be in need of such assistance, as it is due to a nonservice-connected cerebrovascular accident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Personality Disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to January 31, 2009.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD with major depression, recurrent severe panic disorder, and agoraphobia was also denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from working.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his combat experiences in Vietnam and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment, nightmares, anxiety, depression, mood difficulties, irritability, intrusive memories, and avoidance behavior. The Board found that these symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to the absence of certain severe symptomatology.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen her claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,Erectile dysfunction has been found to be noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7522 as there is no evidence of penile deformity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after these are obtained.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding the increased ratings for PTSD, retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee, and residuals of a right knee injury. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and addressing the service connection claim for intermittent explosive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was found to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation.