PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling him for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disorder, as well as assessing the severity of his service-connected sinusitis and migraines.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, as it was a freestanding claim that cannot disturb the finality of the decision which assigned the previous effective date.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and his bilateral shoulder disabilities are considered to be directly related to service. His bilateral knee retropatella pain syndrome is also found to be directly related to service.,Service connection for PTSD, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee retropatella pain syndrome, and right knee retropatella pain syndrome has been granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the issues related to service connection for a bilateral hip condition, low back condition, and an increased evaluation for service-connected residuals of right knee injury with tricompartmental osteoarthritis and scar. The claims are therefore dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence, including treatment records and a PTSD examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% effective from the date of claim, and his accrued benefits claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during the claim period or shortly before the claim was filed.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 50 percent effective from August 10, 2009. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the schedular criteria. The decision also addressed whether a prior rating decision contained clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to May 9, 2012 and increased to 50 percent effective that date.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The claims of service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, and memory loss have been reopened. However, the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any in-service stressors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for right pointer and right middle finger disorders with scars is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether there was actual improvement of PTSD and in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions, thus restoring a 70% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% from June 1, 2007 to August 25, 2010. The TDIU claim is moot due to the grant of a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia. The Veteran meets the criteria for service connection as his current diagnosis of schizophrenia is linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 15, 2008, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The issues regarding increased evaluations for a left wrist disorder and bilateral hearing loss are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder, and panic disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of ongoing medical records.