PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent disabling from November 10, 2005 to April 5, 2011 and as 50 percent disabling from April 6, 2011 to October 9, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating on or after October 10, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing outstanding treatment records. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are being deferred.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their request for a hearing and did not allege any specific error of fact or law in the determination being appealed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical evidence and VA treatment records. The issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is to be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent effective July 28, 2011. Prior to that date, he received a higher initial rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus, PTSD, and right knee patellofemoral chondromalacia were all found to be related to service. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service stressor event is not verified and does not align with his service record. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for PTSD and erectile dysfunction, as well as service connection for bilateral hearing loss, was denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran had withdrawn his request for a Board hearing on the issue of erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, and chondromalacia of the left knee are also being addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a heart disability or PTSD during service and denied both claims. The cause of death was determined to be ischemic cardiomyopathy due to coronary artery disease, which is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a more contemporaneous medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as his current diagnosis of PTSD meets the criteria and is linked to his in-service combat-related stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, were denied as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service event, injury, or disease. The Board found that the Veteran's statements attributing his symptoms to employment, financial problems, family issues, political issues, social stressors, and health problems are not credible.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to May 15, 2009 and increased to 50 percent from that date. The appeal is granted for the period prior to May 15, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD with memory loss is currently rated at 70 percent effective October 11, 2011. The left elbow sprain disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and requesting an addendum from the VA examiner who conducted the August 2012 psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 9, 1999 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The case is remanded to conduct further development.