PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran claims service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Board finds the in-service aircraft incident credible and remands to obtain a medical nexus opinion regarding the etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50% rating effective August 7, 2009. The appeal is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric evaluation to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability. The hearing loss claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been raised.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, remains in a 'unknown' status as it is not related to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disabilities do not result in an inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was initially denied in February 2003 due to lack of diagnosis. The effective date is now set at the date his claim was received, February 22, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and requesting Social Security Administration disability benefits records. The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder is also to be evaluated in detail.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected psychiatric disability and entitlement to TDIU prior to May 3, 2007 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent from March 9, 2001 to May 2, 2007 or for a rating higher than 70 percent since May 3, 2007.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claim for service connection so he is afforded every possible consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including circulatory disorder of the lower extremities, right arm numbness, leg cramps, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), skin disorder, and bilateral hearing loss, were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension was denied.,Service connection for PTSD was granted but not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating. The evidence showed some impairment in social and occupational functioning but no deficiencies in most areas as required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have developed as a result of his active service in Korea, and the Board finds that the evidence supports granting service connection for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that it is at least as likely as not that he suffered from PTSD due to a verified in-service stressor. The TDIU claim was also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of her employment and educational status, as well as VA treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these developments.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination and updated treatment records, as his PTSD symptoms may have worsened since the last evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and Social Security Administration disability benefits application records. A TDIU examination will also be scheduled.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, pain disorder, mood disorder, and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood. The Board also did not address his other issues as they are considered 'unknown' due to lack of specific service connection claim.