PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD or depression. However, the Veteran's skin disability is found to be related to his active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD based on new and material evidence. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability, cardiovascular disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD was granted, with an effective date of October 20, 2008. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for PTSD.,PTSD has caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since October 20, 2008.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted the underlying claim on the merits, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is causally related to his conceded in-service combat exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to in-service personal assault and harassment, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, mood disorder, and anxiety, are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD. The initial noncompensable rating assigned for healed laceration with scar of the left hand is maintained.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 8, 2011, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The issue of entitlement to an initial increased rating for PTSD remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying a stressor event during service. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been evaluated at a 30 percent rating prior to August 30, 2013. The symptoms are characterized by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his prostate cancer and urinary incontinence, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension secondary to PTSD, and onychomycosis have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors, and his lay statements were sufficient to establish these events. Hypertension was also diagnosed as part of the examination, but the examiner opined it is not likely caused by service or PTSD alone.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether TDIU may be granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent effective May 2010, and his left ear hearing loss claim remains denied. The right ankle disability claim has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in March 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 2004, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's left radial neuropathy is rated at 30 percent prior to May 7, 2010 and from August 1, 2010 onward. The Veteran's right trigeminal neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board is remanding the case for scheduling a personal hearing before the RO, as the Veteran requested one but has not been provided with an opportunity to do so.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be the result of fear of hostile military activity during his service in Saudi Arabia, and thus service connection is granted.