PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, with no evidence of worsening or additional disability not previously considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine strain, post-concussive headaches, and PTSD with anxiety and depressive disorder were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and to determine if his bilateral hearing loss is related to military service.

The Veteran was found to be unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and hypertension. The Board has determined that TDIU is warranted for the period from September 18, 2006 to June 27, 2012.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, which is related to his in-service combat stressor. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether he meets the criteria for these diagnoses.

The Veteran's death is found to be caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically organic anxiety syndrome secondary to brain trauma with PTSD and history of alcohol abuse. The appellant's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to care for himself and in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his discharge from active duty and service connection.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluations for pes planus, GERD, and hypertension are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,For PTSD prior to July 19, 2010, the Veteran is currently assigned a 50 percent rating which meets the criteria under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for PTSD, lung cancer, and teeth extraction due to new evidence. However, additional development is needed as VA examinations are required to determine if these conditions are related to service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of stressor events and obtaining updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities will be evaluated to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective September 9, 2010.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional evidence, including mental health treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to August 11, 2011. The VA examiner noted that the Veteran had a mild decrease in work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent from October 6, 2006 to August 23, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and his claim for an effective date earlier than April 23, 2012 for the award of service connection for PTSD have both been granted. The Veteran is now entitled to a 30 percent disability rating for PTSD as of April 23, 2012.