PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a new VA examination and further development of his claims, including the potential entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his generalized anxiety disorder with PTSD, service connection for a dental condition, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to service, including presumed herbicide exposure. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the two conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 5, 2011. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining records of his treatment from Dr. Amy Turner and arranging another examination under DSM-IV.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection and assigned a 30 percent initial evaluation, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the current status of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling, prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period from February 12, 2007 to February 23, 2009.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The claim of service connection for PTSD and depression has been reopened due to new evidence but no final decision on the merits has been made.

The Board found that the Veteran did not timely file a notice of disagreement with the October 2002 rating decision, and thus the appeal is dismissed. The issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and left shoulder disability are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and her migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent. Both conditions meet the criteria for increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain service personnel records and determine if a stressor event is corroborated, which may affect the Veteran's claim for PTSD.

The Board has expanded the issue to include any psychiatric disorder, not limited to PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further development including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and proper notice regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and VA treatment records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for a VA audiology and psychiatric examination. The claims will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's skin disorder and PTSD have been granted service connection, with a 70% rating for PTSD effective April 16, 2010. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is found to be at least in equipoise with his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board finds that he is unable to do so due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, finding a diagnosis and a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor or fear of such stressors. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination.