PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected, as supported by credible evidence of a verified in-service stressor and current symptomatology related to that stressor.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a service-connected psychiatric disorder remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as sleep disturbances, feelings of isolation and depression, panic and anxiety attacks, and difficulty accomplishing tasks. Despite these symptoms, the evidence does not support a higher initial rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a right elbow disorder and did not find new and material evidence to reopen claims of service connection for chest pain, PTSD, cervical/thoracic strain, low back strain, residuals of concussion, or conjunctivitis. The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The Veteran's sleep disorder was also found to be unrelated to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to July 16, 2010 and denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to November 12, 2010 is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 31, 2013. The RO found that the condition meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was not incurred in or related to his active service, and therefore denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD should be August 20, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by significant impairment of mood and impulse control, an inability to establish effective relationships at work or outside his immediate family, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances in a workplace setting. The Board granted the Veteran a 100% evaluation for PTSD as of September 18, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be reopened as there is no new and material evidence to support his claims.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original disability ratings for PTSD with major depression and ventral hernia, finding that there was no evidence of improvement warranting a reduction.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent since May 2009, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is causally related to her military service, and thus grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and issuing a Statement of the Case on the issue of initial rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, with a disability rating of 50 percent effective January 23, 2007. The Veteran is also seeking TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn. The remaining claims of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for PTSD and adenocarcinoma of the prostate are remanded for additional development.