PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim. He also receives a TDIU rating due to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to attempt to corroborate the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and obtain any relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and employment information from his last employer.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant due to her overall disability picture and lack of impairment in locomotion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder was received on February 27, 2003. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection were met as of this date and grants an effective date of February 27, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his mental health records and a specific opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether these conditions are related to active military service. The psychiatric disorder claim remains pending as it was not addressed by the RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a claim prior to February 4, 2008. The Board finds that the effective date cannot be earlier than the date of receipt of his request to reopen his previously denied PTSD claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in November 2006. The Veteran submitted additional evidence during his May 2014 hearing before the undersigned, including a statement from a friend who witnessed the Veteran experiencing nightmares related to military service and another letter from an employee of Norfolk Southern Railway Company stating that the Veteran had a nervous condition related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service due to willful misconduct. The claim for depression and anxiety disorder was denied as well.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board granted the Veteran's TDIU based on his unemployability due to Parkinson's disease and associated conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Board has ordered additional medical records and an opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The appeal is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD effective April 15, 2011. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence regarding his hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. His PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, and he has been awarded TDIU.

The Veteran is seeking an extension of the delimiting date for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code (Montgomery GI Bill) beyond September 9, 2008 due to his service-connected PTSD and other personal circumstances. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before this claim can be adjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and related acquired psychiatric disability, but denied the other issues on appeal. The Veteran's in-service stressor of falling from a rope during boot camp is considered sufficient to support his PTSD diagnosis.