PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and depressive disorder is granted as his symptoms are related to personal assaults during active duty.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and the Board finds that his claimed psychiatric disorder is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied as there was no prior claim filed before January 28, 2008.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder is granted service connection, and the Board finds that it was incurred in active service. The claim for PTSD remains pending as additional development is needed to verify a stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated sleep disorder was manifested by near total occupational and social impairment for the entire claim period prior to March 2, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the date of claim, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete opinions from a previous VA examination and other procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, that is attributable to service. The in-service stressors reported by the Veteran are not credible and there is no evidence of combat or other verified in-service trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, the highest under the criteria for evaluating PTSD. The evidence does not support a higher rating as he does not have deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms as described in the rating criteria. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and recognition as a former prisoner of war (POW). The Veteran's assertions regarding his experiences in Cuba were found to be unreliable, misleading, and exaggerated.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder and polysubstance abuse in full remission has been rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed PTSD and his depressive disorder is not service-connected.,Right leg symptoms are not related to active service, as there was no chronic right lower extremity radiculopathy during or after service.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further appellate review consistent with a June 2014 Memorandum Decision from the United States Court of Appeals For Veterans Claims (Court).

The Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing has been scheduled, but he did not show up. The case is being remanded to schedule another hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's right ankle and shoulder disabilities were not caused by participation in VA vocational rehabilitation training, and the Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for these conditions. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish a service-connected stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% from June 2010 to October 2007, and then increased to 100% effective September 6, 2006. The decision also granted a TDIU rating effective September 6, 2006.