PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability related to service, specifically PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to his personal experiences and not directly linked to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent rating, effective June 3, 2010. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher initial disability rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service. His hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.,His burn scar of the right thigh is manifested by pain on examination, warranting a 10% rating effective October 23, 2008. He has radiculopathy of the left lower extremity with mild incomplete paralysis and associated symptoms. His coronary artery disease is stable but not productive of specific complications.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depression were denied as there is no verified in-service stressor to support these diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing. He has requested and been granted rescheduling of the hearing.

The Veteran's current PTSD is not shown to be related to active service, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 19, 2007 for a 50% rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a back or bilateral knee disability. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied. For his claims related to PTSD and peripheral vascular disease, the Board finds that additional evidence is needed as there are no in-service stressors verified by credible supporting evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD with alcohol abuse, as there are indications that his symptoms have worsened since the last evaluation. The claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling since December 27, 2011, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted with an effective date of October 22, 2003. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was also granted based on the same effective date due to permanent total disability.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 20, 2008, for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted. The effective date will be determined based on the liberalizing law that was applied.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as there was no entitlement to offset of disability compensation benefits due to receipt of military drill pay for Fiscal Year 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the minimum percentage for this disability. The VA Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to missing documents and unclear appeal history.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling a new hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities and income verification.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective September 29, 2010. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, but denied the claim as there is no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current PTSD and his period of active duty service.