PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to clarify the Veteran's current diagnosis in light of conflicting medical evidence and to address the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be granted as there is no credible evidence supporting his claimed in-service stressors. As a result, the claim is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD; benign prostatic hypertrophy; and a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus type II. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his combat experience during service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board after any necessary additional evidence has been obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The right and left rotator cuff impingement disabilities are also rated at their maximum of 20 percent prior to April 14, 2012, and 20 percent from that date onwards.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by severe impairment in social and industrial functioning with deficiencies in most areas from May 31, 1991 to April 18, 2002. The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board found that the criteria for an initial rating higher than 70 percent were not met.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has ordered that the Veteran's complete treatment records from the San Juan VA Medical Center be obtained, and medical records from the Social Security Administration should also be requested. The Veteran is to undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD from January 9, 2001 to February 2, 2010 was rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of exposure to chemicals and respiratory disorder, claimed as asthma, sinus, shortness of breath, cough, including as due to herbicide and asbestos exposure. The remaining claims are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor events. A VA psychiatric examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder found to be present.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability determination records. A VA examination will be conducted to assess the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities. The issues of special monthly compensation (SMC), special monthly pension (SMP), and nonservice-connected pension will also be addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and a right wrist disability, do not render him unemployable as he is capable of performing substantially gainful employment.