PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to more nearly approximate the degree of occupational and social impairment contemplated by a 50 percent scheduler rating, warranting an initial increased evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied because the evidence did not meet the criteria for a new and material submission within one year of the August 2005 denial, and the earliest date of claim subsequent to the August 2005 decision is later than when the issue arose.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD. The Veteran's claims are now addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD) were not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee disability to include infectious disease, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The evidence submitted since the last final denial was found to be cumulative or redundant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The other conditions listed were also found not to be related to service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for PTSD and prostatitis were denied as there is no credible evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new psychiatric examination and addendum opinions on bladder and bowel incontinence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to September 25, 2012. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression results in occupational and social impairment, but does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 70% or above.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is at least as likely as not incurred during or as a result of his active service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected paranoid type schizophrenia and PTSD have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating. The residuals of gunshot wound to the head issue was denied.

The case is being remanded for additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence has been considered and the appropriate evaluations have been assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of a stressor event and obtaining updated VA treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered based on all psychiatric diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an examination to assess the impact of service-connected disabilities on employment. The claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is not before the Board at this time.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of his TDIU claim based solely on his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV.