PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD and for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a claim prior to January 26, 2007. The Board also found that the current obstructive sleep apnea disorder is not related to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus or service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed without prejudice. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder NOS, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his in-service stressors and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 2, 2010, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and assigned an initial rating of 50 percent, effective May 14, 2010. The symptoms include nightmares, concentration difficulties, isolation, avoidance of people, depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, hallucinations, flashbacks, impaired judgment, and memory difficulties.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are related to his in-service stressor, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions. The skin disorder claims have been remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran was awarded a noncompensable rating for PTSD from August 31, 2010 to March 27, 2011 due to occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency despite an ability to generally function satisfactorily at work and at home.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, hypertension, and headaches. The initial evaluations for PTSD, lip laceration scar, and bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including verification of claimed stressors and a psychiatric evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for a disability and denied service connection. The psychiatric disorder claim was remanded.

The Board has characterized the issue on appeal as entitlement to service connection for PTSD, given the evidence of record (including diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder). The Veteran was previously claimed for PTSD only; however, the diagnosis of major depression disorder must be considered. A remand is required for an adequate opinion addressing whether the Veteran's PTSD and/or his major depressive disorder are the result of his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under the criteria for mental disorders. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 70 percent or 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.

The VA increased the appellant's rating for PTSD from 30 percent to 70 percent, effective October 24, 2012. The decision granted both issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that there is no probative evidence of record establishing a direct relationship to service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.