PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is secondary to his service-connected skin disability and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus granting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,Service connection for left leg injury residuals resulting in complex regional pain syndrome is granted. The disability is considered to be secondary to the 2003 in-service left leg injury.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is denied due to lack of diagnosed condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration documents. The Veteran's psychiatric and spine conditions are also required to be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not currently have a credible diagnosis of PTSD. As such, service connection is not warranted for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for an examination addressing his functional impairment from service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and verifying his occupational and educational history. A VA examination will be conducted to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating since January 23, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and examination.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The Board also determined that PTSD was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and another VA examination to evaluate the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder was rated at 50 percent from September 1, 2011 to December 18, 2012 and at 70 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating during any of these periods.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating higher than the current 50 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hip disability and psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling, the maximum available rating under the applicable diagnostic code. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and a social and industrial survey. The Veteran's claims of increased PTSD rating, compensable spermatocele rating, and TDIU are pending.