PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted due to the presence of combat-related stressors and diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, are being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The RO's September 2004 decision denying service connection for CAD and hypertension is final, but new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for CAD and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his current PTSD symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability and PTSD were not incurred or aggravated during active service.,VA failed to provide the Veteran with adequate notice regarding her claims for a bilateral hip disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private mental health records and updated VA treatment records. A VA audiological examination will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective from March 9, 2012. The appeal is based on new evidence that reopened the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his depressive disorder with PTSD, left hip, back, and left knee disorders. The TDIU claim will be deferred until adjudication of other claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the appeal can be adjudicated, including verifying the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtaining medical opinions regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, with the highest combined disability rating of 70%.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension benefits as he failed to provide requested information and evidence within one year of being notified. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) and heart palpitations are also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD and initial evaluation of PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is September 5, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service stressors. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence that he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and his symptoms are more likely related to personality disorders rather than service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lower back condition due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and left ear hearing loss is established with right ear hearing loss also being established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied. The claim was not granted as there is no diagnosed psychiatric disability other than alcohol abuse.

The Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU on October 30, 2009, and his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The effective date of the TDIU rating is set at October 30, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging a psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of PTSD. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.