PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with peripheral arterial disease of the bilateral lower extremities is currently rated at 40 percent and granted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence in the record prior to May 31, 2005 that can be interpreted as a claim for these conditions.,There are no medical records indicating treatment or diagnosis of PTSD or tinnitus prior to May 31, 2005.

The Veteran's skin disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are not service connected. The dental condition claim is denied as it does not meet the requirements for service connection for purposes of VA outpatient treatment.

The Veteran's appeal for a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder from September 17, 2008 and total disability rating based on individual unemployability from the same date was granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and BPD, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's diagnoses of PTSD and BPD are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records, counseling records, and SSA records. A new VA examination will be scheduled to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but without total occupational and social impairment. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and service connection was granted with an effective date of May 7, 1982. The Board is remanding the case to obtain a VA examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran and his representative have withdrawn their appeal for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but generally functions satisfactorily.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, a left leg disability (to include arthritis of the hip, knee, and leg), and PTSD. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability, and the medical evidence did not establish a link between any claimed conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his PTSD and TDIU claims, as well as the need to obtain all relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he can perform sedentary work despite his physical and psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms include depressed mood, sleep impairment, and difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships. The Board finds that the medical records do not support a greater than 50 percent rating for his PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in part, including for tension headaches and bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, prostate condition, ankle/knee conditions, left side pain, and shoulder conditions were also addressed but not granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent schedular evaluation throughout the initial evaluation period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, hypertension (secondary to PTSD), initial rating for PTSD, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and a psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of either condition during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or since service. The Veteran's lay statements were not considered competent evidence to establish these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 30, 2012. The claim for a TDIU prior to that date is part of the appeal and remains in appellate status.