PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bursitis of the left shoulder, cervical spine arthritis (rated at 10% prior to September 14, 2004, and at 20% therefrom), tinnitus, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bilateral hearing loss, do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's PTSD and prostate cancer residuals have been rated at their maximum levels, with the TDIU claim being rendered moot by the grant of a higher rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, left foot disorder, and left knee disorder are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service stressors or a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, sleep apnea, knee disabilities, and osteoarthritis, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the claimed conditions and active duty or National Guard service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but did not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating prior to April 23, 2012.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST), and finds that new evidence supports this claim. The Veteran now has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to MST during his period of active service.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's reported stressors were not verified and the medical evidence did not establish a link between any current psychiatric condition and his active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to August 25, 2008. The claim for an increased rating and TDIU remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD. Additionally, a TDIU claim will be considered.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, effective August 23, 2005. The rating is based on the current symptoms and impairment caused by the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board has determined that the appellant was insane at the time of his service separation, and therefore his character of discharge is not a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his PTSD disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to combat exposure in Afghanistan.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a low back disability, left hip disability, or sleep apnea. The claims for service connection for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including providing proper notice under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(5) for cases alleging PTSD due to personal assault.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 12, 2007 for the award of service connection and a 50% rating for PTSD. The Veteran's original claim was received on September 12, 2007, and evidence revealed a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service combat stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available for this condition.