PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted, with the earliest assignable date being November 12, 1993.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DJD and denied service connection for HIV and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The decision is mixed as it grants one claim (lumbar spine DJD) and denies two claims (HIV and psychiatric disorder).

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to verifying a stressor and obtaining updated VA treatment records. A VA psychiatric examination is also required.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating prior to March 22, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical information and a need for updated examinations. The Veteran is currently seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but the effectiveness of these conditions in preventing employment remains unclear.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, other than depression, that was incurred in or is otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's death was caused by an intracerebral bleed due to his MDS, not by PTSD.,PTSD is not considered a contributing cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and updated medical records. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are pending.

The Veteran's GERD was not found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. His PTSD, however, resulted in a 70% evaluation throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to a current evaluation in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder is being REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development. The Board found that during the period from May 2, 1948 to August 18, 1950, the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder was productive of no more than moderately severe impairment, with characteristic mental and physical fatigability unrelated to a disease process or toxic agents. During the period from August 19, 1950 to June 17, 2008, the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent were not met.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations to determine the severity of his PTSD, the etiology of his GERD and hypertension, and whether service connection should be granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee, right ankle, left ankle disabilities and PTSD. The claims for reopening previously denied left knee and PTSD were granted due to new evidence received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD remains pending as there is insufficient evidence to establish a stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since May 28, 2009. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating of 70 percent have been met for the entire initial rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination and review of his claims file. The issues include seeking an increased evaluation for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is associated with in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity. The issue of a compensable initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of recent VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are not related to his military service, but has found in favor of the Veteran on both issues due to the direct relationship between the conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a lightning strike injury, left and right knee disabilities, and PTSD. However, these claims are not granted as the evidence does not establish that any disability is related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The case will be returned to the AOJ after the hearing.