PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to May 4, 2011 and at 70 percent from that date. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,From May 25, 2012 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD remains rated at 70 percent. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to May 21, 2010. The claim for TDIU after that date is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss (prior to July 9, 2013), CAD, left calf scar and shell fragment wound residuals, left lower extremity lateral plantar sensory terminal latency, right thigh meralgia paresthetica, headache disability, and low back pain have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied, and his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to service for either condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected due to a combat stressor consistent with his active military service in the Gulf War.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records and providing him with VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any diagnosed right leg disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence and need for medical opinions regarding his right ankle sprain and psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a sleep disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining deck logs and verifying his Reserve service. New VA examinations are also required for PTSD and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and PTSD claims require additional development due to inadequate or incomplete medical opinions, as well as missing treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was linked to his military service and exposure to traumatic events in Iraq.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is not warranted, and thus denied this claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied. The effective date of service connection remains April 11, 2009.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development and clarification, including obtaining new VA examinations for his left knee condition and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to deficiencies in its reasons and bases. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors or causal relationships to his current conditions. The initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has found that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability. The claim for TDIU was also granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50% disability rating. However, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, and PTSD, is being remanded due to the Veteran failing to report for a scheduled VA examination. The case will be reviewed after any additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and an examination, as well as to clarify the service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether his current symptoms are related to service. Additional VA treatment records will also be obtained.