PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, multiple joint pain, tinnitus, and IBS, render him unemployable. The Board finds that his TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms result in reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's complete personnel records and possibly outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran is also to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders are causally related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examination and opinion regarding his psychiatric disability, to include whether he currently has PTSD as a result of his Vietnam experiences. An additional VA psychiatric examination is also required to clarify the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as the earliest possible effective date is March 28, 2012, which is the date of receipt of his petition to reopen.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied service connection for PTSD. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, is addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to July 6, 2010 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and TDIU were denied as there is no evidence indicating that he filed a claim before this date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of consideration of additional evidence, including a statement from the Veteran's former spouse. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered in light of this new information.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds that an initial rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted based on his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's anxiety disorder or any other diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to her military service. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after this development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Greenville Vet Center regarding PTSD treatment. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for PTSD and TDIU has been granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for PTSD, effective June 24, 2013.

The Veteran's basic eligibility criteria for nonservice-connected pension benefits have been met, and he is granted the award of nonservice-connected pension.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, peripheral vestibular disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, indicating satisfaction with the assigned disability ratings for PTSD and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection effective November 15, 2002. The claim for an earlier effective date due to CUE in the July 1985 rating decision is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection effective October 10, 2002. The claim for an earlier effective date due to CUE in the July 1985 rating decision is denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD.