PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development due to incomplete opinions from a previous VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of a claimed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to October 24, 2011 and increased to 70 percent effective October 24, 2011. The Board found the preponderance of evidence did not support a rating in excess of these levels.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated as 30 percent disabling from July 7, 2008 to October 24, 2010 and increased to 50 percent effective October 25, 2010.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and post-operative residuals of left shoulder DJD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, psychosis, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and psychosis), and left knee disability. The evidence received since the prior final denial is sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected, with all reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations for his service-connected PTSD and right ankle arthritis, as there is evidence of worsening since the last evaluations. The Veteran will also be provided with a Supplemental Statement of the Case if his benefits are not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination. The issue remains about entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 2, 2009 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, thus meeting criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as there is a diagnosis of PTSD and credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and prostate cancer. The Veteran's claim for prostate cancer was not established as it did not manifest within the first post-service year or be related to active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression began during service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD remains pending as additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the case to attempt to acquire the Veteran's full service records and procure updated VA treatment records, including those from the Auburn CBOC and the VA Sierra Nevada HCS. The Veteran is also requested to provide any additional information regarding his claimed stressor.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, and residuals of lacerations to the left index and ring fingers. The scar above the Veteran's left eye was noted during his military enlistment but did not permanently worsen during or as a result of his service.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated as 50 percent disabling throughout the initial evaluation period, with symptoms including sleep impairment, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, irritability, and anger. The Veteran had some social relationships but struggled with forming interpersonal relationships.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities are granted. The claim for PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for alcohol dependence as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.