PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

PTSD and TMJ ratings remain denied.,Residuals of musculotendinous tear, right calf, and bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis have initial disability ratings denied.,Effective dates for PTSD and TMJ service connection are also denied.

The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (previously diagnosed as PTSD) is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood. The Board finds that the criteria for a schedular rating in excess of 70 percent have not been met. However, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (previously diagnosed as PTSD), diabetes mellitus type 2 and prostate cancer preclude him from obtaining and maintaining employment that could be considered substantially gainful versus just marginal by comparison, when also considering his level of education, prior work experience and training. Therefore, the Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted, and his PTSD rating is also granted. The issue of TDIU prior to July 11, 2011 remains before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation for PTSD was granted, with a rating of 50 percent effective October 3, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent from May 23, 2012. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD prior to that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's report of her alleged in-service stressor is not credible and that PTSD is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent, effective as of September 28, 2005. His claim for an initial compensable rating for ED was withdrawn.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other diagnosed conditions. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current disability meeting diagnostic criteria for PTSD or any other condition, and that the stressor related to his employment in firearms sales did not meet the requirements for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 12, 2008. He is now entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his other psychiatric disorders are attributed to post-service events.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and determine if he is precluded from all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, but the evidence shows severe occupational and social impairments warranting a higher rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 6, 2013. The rating is granted as the symptoms have approximated the criteria for a 70 percent disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, stroke, PTSD, depression, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction and tinnitus have been denied. The Veteran did not engage in combat and has not shown a verified or verifiable service-related stressor on which a diagnosis of PTSD can be based.,Depression, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction were not manifested during service and are not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD and anxiety disorder, has been granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right sciatic nerve, bilateral hearing loss, and a scar of the right posterior thigh associated with a gunshot wound are denied. The claim for service connection for a right ankle sprain is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorders, as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis and the clinical records do not establish an in-service onset.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of PTSD and consideration of whether TDIU should be considered part of his claim.