PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a hearing at the RO. The claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD remains on appeal as the RO has not granted the maximum available rating. The case is being remanded to schedule a Board hearing.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claim. However, the Veteran does not have PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than April 27, 1989 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and his claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to October 5, 1989.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to an effective date prior to September 2, 2008 for a grant of service connection for tinnitus. The claim for PTSD was denied as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis related to verified in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or hearing loss disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 16, 2009. The Board found that the current level of disability warrants a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The case will be adjudicated again after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 2008, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are found to have been incurred in service. The claim for hepatitis C is granted as new and material evidence has been received, but further development is needed before the merits of this issue can be considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of a claimed stressor and examination of his left knee.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective October 15, 2010. The Board has determined that the current level of disability warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cold injury residuals to the feet and PTSD, have rendered him unemployable since June 23, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at a 100 percent disability rating since June 16, 2009. As the Veteran is already receiving a total schedular disability rating for his PTSD, he cannot be granted TDIU due to the overlap in ratings.

The Veteran's non-service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating necessary to qualify for non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with mood disorder and associated alcohol abuse is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this level of disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 70 percent due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.