PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his PTSD is rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's initial PTSD evaluation was increased to 30 percent prior to November 15, 2012 and then to 70 percent from that date. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD and TDIU on the basis of CUE. The case must be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an innocently acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, due to disease or injury incurred in service. The stressor claimed by the Veteran cannot be verified.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder has been withdrawn.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 24, 2008 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, but his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a disability allowance for a dependent spouse and child is denied as the earliest possible effective date is December 1, 2010.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. She also claims secondary service connection for alcohol and polysubstance abuse and self-mutilations to include as secondary to her psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's headaches are associated with a service-connected residual scalp laceration.,The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. She also claims secondary service connection for alcohol and polysubstance abuse and self-mutilations to include as secondary to her psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's headaches are associated with a service-connected residual scalp laceration.,The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. She also claims secondary service connection for alcohol and polysubstance abuse and self-mutilations to include as secondary to her psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's headaches are associated with a service-connected residual scalp laceration.,The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. She also claims secondary service connection for alcohol and polysubstance abuse and self-mutilations to include as secondary to her psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's headaches are associated with a service-connected residual scalp laceration.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. The case has been remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current depressive and anxiety disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability is of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is supported by evidence, including his in-service stressors and medical history. As a result, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities as of March 19, 2008.,Prior to March 19, 2008, the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment since May 9, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 20, 2004 for service connection of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The decision was based on the fact that the Veteran's entitlement to this condition arose on or after December 20, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not more nearly approximate those required for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has worked part-time and his education level, training, and earned income are unknown.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, and breast lump. The claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has been granted.,PTSD was initially granted with a higher rating from July 31, 2007 to November 11, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted service connection, but his hearing loss residuals from a TBI do not meet the criteria for VA compensation purposes. The issue of eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1702 for a psychosis or mental illness is rendered moot by the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow him to undergo a VA examination and for the consideration of any outstanding medical records. The goal is to determine if his PTSD symptoms have worsened since the last evaluation in October 2008.