PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues related to scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case will be returned for compliance with previous directives and further development as necessary.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation from June 29, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty or in-service personal assaults. The VA examiner concluded there was no diagnosis of PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a new VA examination for the claim of service connection for a back disability. The claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 19, 2010 and increased to 70 percent effective from July 19, 2010 through August 21, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since November 30, 2007. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

Prior to June 9, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,Since June 9, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective February 21, 2013. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to that date remains on appeal.

The Veteran's combined disability rating has been at least 70 percent since April 10, 2007, and 90 percent since October 18, 2012. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability evaluation prior to March 20, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as the evidence did not show that he had hypertension in service or within one year after his discharge from service. The Board found that the Veteran's current hypertension was less likely than not caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including his inferred claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for glaucoma was withdrawn. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for headaches and PTSD, as well as an increased rating for PTSD, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to May 24, 2012 resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decreases in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. Since May 24, 2012, the disability has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for these conditions if they are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been granted, with a current effective date not specified.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor event, and the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is linked to this event. The claim for bilateral leg cramps was remanded.