PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial PTSD rating in excess of 10 percent and the petition to reopen his service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for further evaluation and additional treatment records to be obtained. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested throughout the appeal period by symptoms productive of a level of functional impairment most closely approximating occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting an initial disability rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bruxism were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination. The TDIU claim will be deferred until further notice.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability. The claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety and depression, and headaches were not addressed due to their interrelated nature.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported stressors are credible and consistent with his service, and have linked them to his current PTSD diagnosis. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, with particular focus on whether any are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities are found to be likely preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his multiple conditions render him unemployable.

The Veteran is not entitled to an effective date earlier than September 9, 2009 for a 100% rating for his acquired psychiatric disability. He was initially granted service connection in 1955 but the decision did not specify the exact diagnosis or grant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS, as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's symptoms were better explained by alcohol dependence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, specifically an in-service stressor involving fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 6, 2014. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and for TDIU remains in appellate status.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD, based on credible evidence of a verified stressor and medical opinions linking the Veteran's symptoms to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric and Aid and Attendance/Housebound examination to determine the current nature of any diagnosed psychiatric condition and whether the Veteran is housebound due to his PTSD. The SMP claim will be readjudicated based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a respiratory disability, claimed as residuals of pneumonia, has been reopened. The Board also granted an increased rating to 100% for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and a VA examination, as well as extra-schedular consideration if necessary.