PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining employment records and providing a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,Service connection for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left thigh, Muscle Group XV, with degenerative joint disease of the knee status post total knee replacement was granted and assigned a 60 percent rating effective as of May 28, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and will be readjudicated after obtaining these records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined rating of 60 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and physical conditions, render him unemployable in light of his educational and occupational history. The Board finds the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to all service-connected disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 13, 2008 and he is entitled to a TDIU rating effective that date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with a history of schizophrenia, paranoid type, was rated at 30 percent prior to May 31, 2009 and at 70 percent from that date. The appeal is denied as the rating criteria are adequate for all times pertinent to this appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia with PTSD contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. As a result, the DIC claim is moot.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence to support the claimed in-service stressor, and thus his diagnosis does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability claim information. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and secondary schizophrenia are found to be related to his service, specifically fear of hostile military activity during his time in the field artillery battalion. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 26, 2005. The rating was granted based on the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 9411 of the Rating Schedule.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. The Veteran's claimed stressors were not verified, and his diagnoses are not linked to service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied as a matter of law due to his incarceration in prison with a life sentence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death from pneumonia and heart disease. The claim for DIC benefits is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted with an effective date of August 27, 2008. The Board finds that the actual date of receipt of the new claim is August 22, 2008, which is earlier than the assigned effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private psychiatric treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and a VA examination to assess the current nature, extent, and severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records and clarification of her National Guard service.