PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, effective September 25, 2007. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has expanded the issue to include entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. Further development is needed, including a VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and leg cramps are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the May 2007 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, as new and material evidence has been received. However, the claim for PTSD cannot be granted because there is no credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a neck disability have all been denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of current ischemic heart disease or any other claimed conditions related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and a right shoulder disorder, service connection for cancer to include soft tissue sarcoma and squamous cell sarcoma as due to herbicide exposure, and service connection for hypertension as due to herbicide exposure or as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II and PTSD have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service and obtaining relevant medical records. The appellant's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's initial ratings for PTSD prior to May 7, 2013 were denied. For the period since May 7, 2013, his PTSD was rated at 50 percent, but not higher.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA clinic records and arranging for a PTSD examination to determine the severity of his service-connected condition. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his PTSD and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disability is not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, with difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board finds that the current evaluation of 30 percent is appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The appeal will be considered in light of all pertinent evidence and legal authority.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to a verified in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 18, 2005. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met or approximated during the entire appellate period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hearing loss have been rated at 70 percent combined, effective May 8, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is not related to a disease or injury during active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to a lack of consideration of certain treatment records from John Umstead Hospital.