PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be decided. This includes obtaining outstanding VA treatment records, requesting private medical records, and arranging for a mental health examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing and disagreement with the denial of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders, foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, stomach disorder, and right arm disorder are all under consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as there was no corroborated in-service stressor to support his claims, and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; bilateral knee disorder; and PTSD are not supported by credible evidence and therefore have been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, the highest rating available under the criteria for PTSD. The Veteran experiences occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with service connection established for PTSD and TBI. Bilateral hearing loss and conjunctivitis were also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective February 6, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms have not met criteria for a higher rating prior to August 14, 2012 and from August 14, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD does not meet criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no verified in-service stressor and the diagnosis of PTSD is not supported by credible supporting evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or anxiety disorder, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have an outstanding formal or informal claim for TDIU prior to January 1, 2007. The effective date of January 1, 2007 was assigned as there was no ascertainable increase in disability between August 7, 2006 and January 1, 2007.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, panic disorder, schizophrenia with depression, anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, were incurred during his military service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining archived police records from the city of Petersburg, Virginia. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and has also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD, TBI, a back disability, and a right hip disability cannot be substantiated due to lack of credible evidence supporting an in-service stressor or injury. As such, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The Board finds that a rating of 70 percent, but not higher, is warranted for the period prior to November 10, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records and for an updated VA examination of his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as disturbances in motivation and mood, difficulty establishing effective work relationships, and occasional periods of depression. The Board finds that the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating are met throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as a nexus opinion regarding tinnitus. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.