PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD has no legal merit as the December 2009 decision is final. The temporary total disability rating due to VA hospitalization from March 11, 2008 to April 18, 2008 is denied.

The Board has denied the appellant's request to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence has not been presented.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since December 19, 2008. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol abuse have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from September 19, 2009. The VA examiner found the Veteran had significant impairment caused by PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, psychosis NOS, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for proper notice regarding service connection based on personal assault and obtaining updated treatment records from the Albuquerque VAMC.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to conflicting VA examination reports and the need for additional development, including obtaining ongoing VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of rating PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of a 60 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU are denied. The effective date for the 60 percent evaluation is set at September 20, 2010, based on the date of receipt of his claim for increase. The effective date for the TDIU is set at November 11, 2010, based on factually ascertainable evidence of an increase in disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for a new VA psychiatric examination. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and verification of his claimed stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the ineligibility of his claimed stressor event and the need for additional VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Depressive Disorder NOS, and Mood Disorder were denied as there was no established service connection due to lack of verified stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and left foot Morton's neuroma are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of her psychiatric disorder and scheduling her for an examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of her left foot condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim should be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and dysthymic disorder are related to his service, including exposure to hostile fire during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent from March 17, 2003 to November 27, 2007. From that date forward, the rating has been increased to 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and to ensure that all due process requirements are met. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include an anxiety disorder, remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to October 26, 2011 and increased to 50 percent from that date forward.