PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was not granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma of the left temple, PTSD, or a pulmonary disability due to in-service herbicide exposure. His right eye injury with loss of vision was also not assigned a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and an evaluation of whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for PTSD, a right knee disability, and a low back disability. The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his reported in-service stressor involving fear of hostile military activity during Operation Allied Force.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation higher than 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not more nearly approximate deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood due to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed the appeal due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects reduced reliability and productivity without deficiencies in most areas of work, school, family, judgment, and thinking.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The issue of whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service remains unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran is not entitled to travel payments for a sleep study in November 2011 due to failing to file the request within 30 days of completion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the Board not providing an adequate analysis regarding functional impairment for a higher rating. The case will be returned to the Board after the requested hearing.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to April 23, 2012 is being remanded due to inadequate compliance with the Board's previous remand directives. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for an extraschedular determination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since May 7, 2013. Before that date, the rating was granted but not specified.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies within its March 2013 decision, including failing to consider and discuss VA treatment notes from June, October, and December 2007 indicating that the Veteran's depression and anxiety were 'related to experiences in Vietnam.'

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to schedule a hearing before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and therefore cannot establish service connection for any of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor, and therefore service connection for PTSD is granted. The issue of whether depression is secondary to service-connected PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected PTSD, but not considering non-service connected strokes. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his service-connected PTSD renders him helpless or permanently bedridden/housebound.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of PTSD should be May 12, 1980, based on new evidence confirming combat experience and stressors.