PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury that could be linked to the current conditions. The Board found insufficient evidence of verified stressors for the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's headaches have been granted a 50% rating effective June 24, 2014. He also received increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral knee instability from July 17, 2014. The RO has awarded him a TDIU prior to July 17, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's multiple myeloma was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also determined there is no evidence of a diagnosed psychiatric/mental disorder, thus denying his secondary service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted a 70% rating effective May 30, 2013. The right foot disorder and neck disorder claims were not granted.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection were dismissed as the decisions assigning the effective dates have become final.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a Board videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and PTSD have been granted, but the rating for PTSD prior to October 14, 2014 has also been granted. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's PTSD with cyclothymic disorder is currently evaluated at a 70 percent rating since July 21, 2014. The condition has resulted in moderate to severe impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and further appellate review due to outstanding records, including U.S. Railroad Retirement Board or Social Security Administration records, and VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD claim cannot be granted as there is no valid service stressor supporting a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran was denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete actions from previous remands. The Veteran's hearing request was not accommodated, and a new videoconference hearing is scheduled at the Nashville VARO.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD was granted, with an effective date of April 20, 1999. The Veteran also received a grant of service connection for PTSD based on direct evidence and is now rated at the 70 percent level.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since December 6, 2012. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective January 8, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, with all other psychiatric conditions being considered as a result of his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, coronary artery disease, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to missing in-service hospitalization records and VA treatment records, as well as clarification on private audiogram results.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have diagnosed PTSD that is incurred in or related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since September 30, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with a 50% evaluation effective April 3, 2010. The Veteran's claim was reopened and the effective date of service connection is now January 11, 2010.