PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertion that his preexisting left knee disability increased in severity during service, and denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues of entitlement to service connection, higher initial ratings for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, remote right ankle fracture with degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and right shoulder disabilities. This includes verifying duty status during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA periods, obtaining VA examinations, and updating treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining medical records. The issues are whether he has service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and whether he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the date of his last VA examination in January 2013. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any other conditions or issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA PTSD examination and consideration of the issues related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is found unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected musculoskeletal disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with a 30% disability rating effective March 15, 2010. His earlier symptoms and treatment records indicate that his entitlement to PTSD arose as early as May 2001.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is found to be related to his active duty service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent from October 14, 2009 and granted a higher rating to 50 percent effective that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD, as his symptoms have worsened since his last examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA disability records and determining if the Veteran applied for such benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent, effective from August 23, 2010. The appeal for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for TDIU due to PTSD was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or TDIU based on the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of April 18, 2012. The Board found that the earlier effective date of November 27, 2006, is warranted as the September 2007 rating decision was not final due to remand by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence, including SSA disability benefits records and mental health treatment records. The claim will be readjudicated after the completion of these tasks.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for PTSD and denied it on the merits. The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS, is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and vertigo secondary to bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are still under review.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher initial rating of 50 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.