PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to the failure to attend a scheduled VA examination. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claims and noted that the disabilities in question did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 28, 2010. The Board found that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for the entire initial rating period on appeal due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, and mood.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and consider any new evidence added to the record since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and consideration of his TDIU claim. The issue of an increased rating for avulsion fracture of the distal right fibula will also be remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder has been rated at 30 percent since February 22, 2010. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: a depressed mood, anxiety, social isolation, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, disturbances in motivation, short term memory loss, and trouble sleeping through the night. Resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor, the Board finds that an initial 50 percent rating is warranted for PTSD with anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at a higher rate under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(r)(1) was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a higher level of care, despite meeting other eligibility requirements.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but not to the extent that it warrants a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for PTSD is being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a new Videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge due to his failure to report for the scheduled hearing and allegations of good cause.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, did not have their onset during military service or are otherwise related to such service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD should be July 28, 2010, as this is the date when the Veteran submitted a formal application to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to June 18, 2014. From that date, the rating for PTSD increased to 50 percent. The initial rating for CAD remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the existence and etiology of any current sleep disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining pertinent VA treatment records and scheduling him for a VA psychiatric and heart condition examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders including PTSD and depression are found to be at least in part caused or aggravated by events in service in Southwest Asia.,Left ear hearing loss is found to have preexisted periods of active duty but underwent an increase in level of disability during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, SSA records, and a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of back and knee disorders, as well as his claim for a sleep disorder secondary to a service-connected disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Board will provide VA examinations for these issues.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been granted. The decision is based on the merits and does not involve any presumption or secondary service connection.