PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to secure all relevant medical records, including those from Grand Strand Regional Medical Center. The ratings for PTSD and CAD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to follow substantially gainful occupation, and TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD due to military sexual trauma. The AOJ should also obtain updated VA treatment records from both the Decatur VAMC and Rome VA clinic.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence has been received. The issue is now on remand to obtain a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Veteran also received a temporary total rating and subsequent increased ratings for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination of his PTSD and efforts to obtain private treatment records. The issue of TDIU will be readjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's service-connected adenocarcinoma of the prostate, status-post prostatectomy with residuals of urinary leakage and urinary stress incontinence, is shown to be of such a nature or severity to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar/manic depression, has been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, with symptoms including reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impairment of short- and long-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD is linked to a verified in-service stressor, and the medical evidence supports this connection. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA opinions and other procedural issues. The Veteran's conditions include PTSD, depressive disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of upper extremities, and neuropathy of lower extremities.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and adjudication, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the March 2010 VA examiner or a new examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist if available. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after all requested actions are completed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 7, 2011. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependency has been granted a 70 percent rating, effective from August 20, 2006. The appeal for an increased rating was withdrawn.

PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to April 10, 2009 and increased to 30 percent thereafter.,Low back disability was rated at 0 percent prior to April 16, 2009 and increased to 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD was granted effective January 4, 2008. The Board found that it was factually ascertainable that an increase in the Veteran's PTSD disability occurred on January 4, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a vision disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection cannot be established as there is no credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressors or that any current psychiatric or visual conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and hyperlipidemia, was dismissed. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 23, 1999 for service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an effective date before this date.