PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all relevant VA treatment records have been considered.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his PTSD is related to his in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to March 22, 2007 for the award of service connection and a 30 percent initial rating for PTSD is not warranted.

The Board determined that referral for an extraschedular evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD was not warranted, and this decision is final.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The rating of 70% is granted for the initial rating periods prior to April 25, 2005, and from September 1, 2005 to November 26, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his in-service hospitalization records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when evaluated in association with his education and occupational experience, have at least as likely as not made him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is considered 'unknown' as there is insufficient evidence to determine if he served in Vietnam. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the impact of his PTSD on his social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms, with a 70 percent rating from August 4, 2011. The Board found that he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal of his claims for increased evaluations for polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with mood disorder was granted effective from April 27, 2004. The Board finds no basis to grant an earlier effective date prior to January 22, 1996.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for consideration of the TDIU claim which includes the Veteran's now service-connected prostate cancer. The Veteran should be provided a new VA examination that evaluates all of his service-connected disabilities and discusses their effects on his ability to perform tasks.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, were not related to his service. The claim was denied as there is no direct or presumptive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has confirmed the RO's previous action with respect to the appellant's increased rating claim prior to May 14, 2010 and found that a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from May 15, 2010 is not warranted.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for additional development and consideration, including to verify his alleged stressors related to PTSD. The claims will be readjudicated in light of all additional evidence.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of June 25, 2002 for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.