PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, which includes diagnoses of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be related to his active duty service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of the grant of service connection (May 16, 2008), and denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left foot drop with partial peroneal palsy, low back disability, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome have been withdrawn. The Veteran has a current neck disability that was likely incurred during service, and her service connection claim for a left knee disability is granted.,Prior to January 12, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD disability rating is increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further inquiry into his work-related issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure. The initial rating claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD, have rendered him unemployable for the period prior to December 22, 2009. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of PTSD. The issues of service connection for PTSD, sleep disorder (secondary to PTSD), and major depression are inextricably intertwined with the PTSD issue and will be deferred pending completion of this development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD or right ear hearing loss, and there was no evidence linking the current conditions to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to October 7, 2002, for service connection of PTSD. The decision states that the December 1994 rating decision is final and cannot be earlier than the date of receipt of his new claim in October 7, 2002.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and he has not been granted an increased rating. His bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 23, 2009. The Board has granted a higher initial evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD that conforms with DSM-IV criteria, and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that new evidence supports a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded this case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA mental status examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder and PTSD has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of PTSD, credible evidence of an in-service stressor, and a link between his current symptoms and the verified stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, CAD, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, PVD of both legs, and peripheral neuropathy of all extremities are not entitled to increased ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional medical records.