PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of auricle, varicose veins, a clogged neck artery, and PTSD. The decision also granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss with a noncompensable disability rating and tinnitus with a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptomatology at a minimum more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting an evaluation of at least 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent, effective March 5, 2012. Service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, migraines, back injury, and residuals of left ankle/foot injury have also been established.

The Veteran's mood disorder is proximately due to his service-connected residuals of a low back injury, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms met the criteria for a 70% disability rating as of February 12, 2009. The effective date for this award is January 8, 2009.

Service connection was established for PTSD and a noncompensable rating was assigned.,A compensable rating of 50 percent for PTSD was granted effective August 31, 2010.,The Veteran's fractured 2nd toe, right foot received a noncompensable rating prior to February 12, 2013 and a 10 percent rating thereafter.,A TDIU was granted effective January 29, 2013.

The Board finds that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to award the Veteran an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD, but further development is needed to determine if a rating in excess of 50 percent is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that further evidentiary development is necessary before a decision can be reached on the merits of the underlying claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with alcohol dependence and TDIU. The case must be remanded to obtain complete treatment records from the Indianapolis VAMC, Vet Center, and schedule VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to a lack of entitlement under the law, as he did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of such assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed conditions of PTSD, anxiety, depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features are related to her service. As such, she is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date prior to June 3, 1993 for the award of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE), and also seeks service connection for residuals of a wound to the top of his head. These issues are being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and denied her claim for service connection. The issue of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective December 31, 2011. Prior to that date, the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent had been in effect.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder and PTSD were incurred in service, and he is eligible for VA treatment. Service connection was granted for these conditions with an effective date of May 20, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including verifying the Veteran's in-service stressful experiences and attempting to link her diagnosed psychiatric disabilities (PTSD and major depressive disorder) to these events. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his left knee disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and PTSD. The claims are also being remanded for issuance of a statement of the case on the issues of service connection for GERD and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.