PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain with arthropathy, necessitate the need for an automobile to accommodate his mobility limitations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to scheduling issues and incomplete documentation.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD, hypertension, and ED are service-connected based on credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors. The appeals for these conditions were granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of SSA records and for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2009 and has been rated at 70 percent since that date.,Effective October 22, 2010, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The issue of Parkinson's disease is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, arranging for appropriate examinations, and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is characterized by social and occupational impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as disturbances in motivation and mood, panic attacks, obsessive and ritualistic behavior, memory problems, impaired impulse control with irritability and periods of violence, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective relationships.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left knee disability, cardiovascular condition, neck disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left foot disability have been reopened. Claims for scars of the face and head and residuals of a right thumb and hand injury were not reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtain his service treatment records from his reserve unit and Records Management Center. The appellant will be provided a Supplemental Statement of the Case if the benefits are not granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chronic lumbosacral strain is related to his in-service stressor. The issue of an increased evaluation for chronic lumbosacral strain remains pending, as does the need for statements of the case on secondary service connection issues.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since November 2009, with a temporary rating of 100 percent from July 5, 2012 to October 1, 2012. The current rating is maintained as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The appeal regarding initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied.

The Board has ordered further development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining records from Wyoming State Hospital and the VA Medical Center in Cheyenne. The case will be reviewed after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and a need for additional evidence, including a copy of the claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and a detailed post-service work history.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a Social and Industrial Survey to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.