PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD based on in-service stressors and to clarify conflicting medical evidence. Updated VA treatment records are also needed.

The Veteran is not found to be unemployable due solely to her service-connected disabilities prior to May 21, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for hypertension, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or direct service connection.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 90%, which meets the criteria for TDIU. However, he has not been shown to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination, particularly regarding his claimed personal assault in service and any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from January 21, 2009 to August 3, 2011 due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD, fractured left tibia and fibula, and muscle tension headaches were all rated at 50%, 30%, and 30% respectively as of August 27, 2008.,TDIU was granted effective from the date of receipt of the claim on August 27, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to various symptoms contemplated by a 50 percent schedular rating from January 12, 2009 to January 30, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for current VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, or mood. The criteria for a 70 percent evaluation are met.

The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for complaints of, or treatment for, spine, left shoulder, or lung disabilities. The earliest post-service clinical evidence of possible acid reflux is more than twenty years after separation from service.,There is no competent credible evidence of record that reflects that the Veteran has a lung disability causally related to, or aggravated by, service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, school, family relationships, judgment, thinking or mood, due to such symptoms as near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively. The Veteran is therefore entitled to a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD is dismissed. The claim for residuals of hepatitis was denied as there is no current evidence of a disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, that had onset in service or was caused by his active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the grant of service connection, and this rating is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since July 10, 2014. The appeal for higher ratings or TDIU was granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including depression. The Veteran's depression is found to be incurred in service and therefore service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for acquired right eye disorder, acquired left eye disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The claim for increased rating for right knee disability was also denied. Effective date claims were not addressed as they are separate issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and TBI were denied as there is no established diagnosis of these conditions. The claim for VA medical treatment for a psychosis was not addressed due to lack of evidence.