PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder, NOS was initially rated at 10% prior to March 15, 2012 and increased to 30% since then. The Board granted a higher initial rating of 50% for the period from April 13, 2010 to March 14, 2012.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and granted service connection due to a personal assault during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD was denied by the Board in November 2010. However, a September 2010 rating decision from the RO increased his evaluation to 50 percent effective March 31, 2010, leading to conflicting evaluations. The Board has vacated its previous decision due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a previously scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be rescheduled for a new hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The issues of increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are also pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 27, 2008, for the grant of basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective December 20, 2010. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed condition.

The Board granted the Veteran's service connection for bilateral lower extremity polyneuropathy and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam is presumed. The Veteran was also found to have set foot on land in the Republic of Vietnam, qualifying him for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent, effective May 14, 2012. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the September 17, 2009 Designation of Beneficiary for NSLIP [redacted] is valid and the appellant is entitled to the proceeds.

The Veteran's PTSD with dyssomnia is currently rated at 50 percent since September 6, 2012. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and granted service connection for PTSD. The issue of sleep apnea remains under consideration as it may be secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in the record.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The VA examiner found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining outstanding clinical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD with mood disorder. The TDIU claim may also be affected by this development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inferred claim for a total rating for compensation on the basis of individual unemployability (TDIU) being raised during the administrative appeal of the initial rating for PTSD. The AOJ should furnish a Statement of the Case regarding this TDIU claim.