PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and peripheral artery disease of the left lower extremity was denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of total occupational and social impairment. The claims for headaches, fatigue, and joint pain have been reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent since April 16, 2012. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims of PTSD, back disability, and neck disability were denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was set at April 10, 2006. The claim to reopen for a back disability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting opinions on the etiology of the appellant's psychiatric disorders and whether they are aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was granted. The claims for service connection for aggravated asthma, a right ankle disability associated with a scar, and a low back disability were denied due to lack of evidence. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and aggravated asthma.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected PTSD, shrapnel wounds of the right arm and shoulder (muscle group II), right radial nerve injury, and chest wall (muscle group XI). The TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to January 30, 2009 or in excess of 70 percent since then.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are not related to his military service and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The appeal is now pending and will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to verify in-service stressors. The AOJ must attempt to obtain information from official sources regarding the claimed stressor events.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and consideration of service connection for PTSD under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3) due to the Veteran's reported in-service stressful experiences involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a video conference hearing before the Board at the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with VA regulations, and his pre-existing anxiety disorder was not permanently aggravated during service. The evidence did not establish any current acquired psychiatric disorder related to his period of service.

The Board has remanded the case for a psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service. The issues on appeal are whether PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders are service connected.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to January 22, 2008. Since then, the Board has determined that a rating of 50 percent is warranted.

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