PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist disorder, bilateral hand disorder, tinnitus, and an acquired mental disorder (PTSD). The hearing loss claim was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The right eye condition claim was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD warrants a 30 percent initial rating, and his MDD/PTSD warrant a 50 percent initial rating. The criteria for these ratings are met based on the severity of symptoms and impairment caused by the conditions.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection and a higher evaluation for PTSD are dismissed due to finality of prior decisions.,There is no legal basis for granting earlier effective dates as the November 2005 rating decision, which granted service connection and assigned initial evaluations, is final.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 18, 2005, for service connection of PTSD is denied as there was no formal or informal application filed before that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other mental health conditions, is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from a Vet Center and scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his diagnosed psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective May 30, 2008. The disability has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and its impact on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The appeal is now pending again with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 22, 2009. The appeal for a higher rating or TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to May 1, 2013 (other than during a period of temporary total disability from July 3, 2009 to April 30, 2013).

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's PTSD and determine if it renders him unemployable. The claim will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 9, 2002. The Board found that the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ganglion cyst of the left wrist, tinnitus, and right foot disability was denied. The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with PTSD has been granted a rating of 30% prior to July 7, 2009.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was not manifested by occupational and social impairment during the period from September 20, 2006 to October 30, 2007.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 19, 2009. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to June 27, 2012 and thereafter has been withdrawn.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a compensably disabling psychosis within one year following discharge from active duty and that his statements regarding his in-service stressor were not credible.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse has been rated at 50 percent since the April 2007 rating decision. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating, as they were consistent with the current 50 percent evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition and granted it. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, separate from PTSD, is also granted.