PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bipolar disorder, as it is presumed that he was sound at entry into service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected gunshot wound, left shoulder disability, and PTSD with dysthymia and mild anxiety.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from November 8, 2007. The RO has also granted a temporary total rating based on hospitalization for PTSD during the period from December 28, 2009 to February 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD results in total occupational impairment, but does not cause total social impairment. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Veteran's variously diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD, panic disorder with agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia, anxiety not otherwise specified (NOS), and depression, is found to be related to his service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities, crush injury to the right great toe, tinea versicolor and PTSD did not warrant higher disability evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to January 30, 2007 for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD and for TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been evaluated at 50 percent since March 19, 2009. The Board finds that the current evaluation is appropriate and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's overpayment of disability compensation was properly created for the periods from October [redacted], 2005, to July [redacted], 2006; from February [redacted], 2007, to July [redacted], 2007; and from January [reded], 2008, to February [redacted], 2008.

The Veteran's anxiety disability to include PTSD is rated at 30 percent disabling until March 9, 2011. After that date, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any chronic psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran incurred a disability manifested by headaches in service. The other issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action. The case will be returned to the Board only if additional development or other appropriate action is taken.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA mental disorders examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is causally related to his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a head laceration with loss of consciousness is denied. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) are pending as additional evidence may be needed to establish the presence or etiology of these conditions. Service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea, psychiatric disorders, and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.