PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since December 29, 2009. The Board finds that the current rating of 50 percent is more appropriate for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive features and plantar calluses, do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment given his education and previous work experience.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development and adjudication of the claim for a TDIU rating, including consideration of VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's employability due to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The case is therefore REMANDED for further action.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to inconsistencies in the record and the need for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions. The Board granted his petition to reopen the claims for low back and left shoulder disorders, but found no new or material evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The peripheral neuropathy and PTSD claims resulted in a 50% rating, while the diabetes mellitus and tinea cruris claims remained at their initial assigned evaluations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under VA guidelines for this disability. The condition has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues currently on appeal, including the reopening of service connection for hypertension and various disability evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence and a need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the low back had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection. The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since February 7, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records. The issues of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and pseudofolliculitis barbae will be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 2009, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, but the appellant is seeking DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to his service-connected PTSD and other conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was assigned a 50 percent rating prior to May 2, 2008. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and a headache disorder have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's original claim for service connection was received on November 17, 1989. The effective date of his grant of service connection is set at November 17, 1989, but no earlier.