PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for PTSD and TDIU were dismissed as there was no timely appeal filed.,No new evidence or arguments supporting an earlier effective date have been presented.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability. The Veteran's manifestations do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and vocational rehabilitation folder. A social and industrial survey will also be conducted to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was granted, as the evidence showed manifestations of the disability prior to March 25, 2013.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was established based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to address service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, and mood disorder as well as right knee disability are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations to address these issues.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no objective evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not shown to be related to service, and his acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is not considered service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and/or PTSD due to additional evidence received from the Veteran.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection, with no changes in rating during the appeal period. The disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of her complete medical history.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has decided to remand the TDIU claim due to incomplete development and requests that the AOJ expressly address whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise a September 2014 decision, finding that the correct facts were known and correctly applied at the time.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and determined that new evidence supports a finding that the Veteran has PTSD related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as due to a head injury with concussion, is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was manifested by difficulty in understanding complex commands, impairment of short term memory, clear disturbances of motivation, sleep disturbances and mood as well as a clear difficulty in working with others and establishing effective relationships prior to August 9, 2006. The Board found that the criteria for an initial rating of 50 percent have been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings for right toe disability and low back disability have been granted. The Veteran is now entitled to a 30 percent rating for his right toe disability effective December 5, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue, and the Veteran's hearing is rescheduled.