PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by frequent suicidal ideations, near continuous depression affecting his ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively. He had difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances and increased problems establishing and maintaining effective relationships; it approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with bipolar affective disorder, recurrent, severe, with psychotic features and polysubstance abuse was granted effective from January 27, 1997.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are being evaluated again to determine if they warrant an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's TDIU claim for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and employment information. The case will be reviewed again based on all available evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not incur a lung disability during service or as a result of service, and there is no evidence to support his claim for left ankle disability. The claims have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting a withdrawal of this appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as the earliest date that may be assigned is July 17, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the Boston RO.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 11, 2013.,The Board granted a TDIU effective from March 11, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a vocational specialist evaluation. The TDIU issue is also being considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep disorder is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected residuals of prostate cancer, granting service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran's only service-connected disability, PTSD, rated at 50 percent, is not shown to alone be of such severity as to preclude his participation in any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to clarify the Veteran's current diagnoses as they relate to mental health diagnostic criteria and to obtain adequate etiological opinions regarding service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that his lumbar spine disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, and denying separate ratings for radiculopathy. The left ankle sprain was also found to have moderate limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development regarding his service connection claim and evaluation of a scar. The AOJ must verify if he was on guard duty at a medical clinic in Kuwait, conduct another VA examination for psychiatric disorders, and schedule an additional VA examination for the left acromioclavicular joint reconstruction.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent, and his residuals of prostate cancer were rated at 40 percent from February 1, 2013. The appeal for higher initial ratings is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. A new VA examination will be scheduled to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim must also be adjudicated.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor event and thus denied service connection for PTSD.