PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and compliance with instructions from the Court. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorder and right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for ED, hemorrhoids, or hypothyroidism.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service records do not contain information about his in-service stressors, so further development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal should be remanded for a new VA examination to determine if he has a current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and whether it is at least as likely as not related to his service. The claim will then be re-adjudicated.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. However, the claim is denied as there is no verified in-service stressor and the diagnosis of PTSD is not related to active service.

The Veteran was awarded a permanent and total disability rating for PTSD, effective January 16, 2007. The appellant is over the age of 26 at this time, so her period of eligibility for Chapter 35 educational benefits ends on her 26th birthday.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 100 percent rating throughout the period under consideration, and he is granted an initial 100 percent evaluation for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated income information and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced productivity due to symptoms of sleep impairment, depression, anxiety, avoidance of large crowds, detachment from others, and irritability. The Board has determined that a disability rating of 50 percent, but no higher, for PTSD meets the criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder has been granted. The claim for TDIU is also pending.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance/housebound benefits was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent prior to June 9, 2008 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The claim for a TDIU remains pending.,PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since December 13, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since August 1, 2012. The rating is granted and effective as of that date.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by moderate to severe occupational and social impairment prior to December 16, 2011. For the portion of the rating period from August 30, 2005 to December 16, 2011, the disability picture approximated a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and PTSD is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and considering newly submitted evidence.