PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD and GERD have been granted service connection, with initial ratings of 10 percent from January 2007 to March 12, 2012. The rating for PTSD was increased to 30 percent as of March 12, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his active service. The initial rating for left shoulder acromioclavicular joint degeneration remains remanded due to inadequate evidence.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis from February 14, 2006 to May 5, 2009. The service-connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains open and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 18, 2004. The rating is based on the criteria for a disability due to mental disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus (DM), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board has remanded the case for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent, and there is no evidence to support a prior effective date for TDIU.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, but finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder due to his service. The chronic residual disability of a neck injury is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been denied as he does not meet the criteria for service connection or an increased rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a claimed stressor for PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after further investigation by CURR.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, back disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 2002. The Board has determined that the current evidence supports a rating of at least 70 percent for PTSD, effective April 14, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability (PTSD) and skin condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is not rated higher than noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to insufficient evidence to verify the claimed stressors during active duty. Additional development, including verification through JSRRC and other sources, is required.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than February 24, 2009, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination of his PTSD and for obtaining all outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and updated treatment records. The RO/AMC will reassess his employability status in light of all evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, shell fragment wounds to the right thigh and left index finger, as well as a scar from the right thigh wound, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.