PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to in-service personal assault and harassment, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, mood disorder, and anxiety, are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD. The initial noncompensable rating assigned for healed laceration with scar of the left hand is maintained.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 8, 2011, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The issue of entitlement to an initial increased rating for PTSD remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying a stressor event during service. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been evaluated at a 30 percent rating prior to August 30, 2013. The symptoms are characterized by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his prostate cancer and urinary incontinence, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension secondary to PTSD, and onychomycosis have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors, and his lay statements were sufficient to establish these events. Hypertension was also diagnosed as part of the examination, but the examiner opined it is not likely caused by service or PTSD alone.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether TDIU may be granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent effective May 2010, and his left ear hearing loss claim remains denied. The right ankle disability claim has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in March 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 2004, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's left radial neuropathy is rated at 30 percent prior to May 7, 2010 and from August 1, 2010 onward. The Veteran's right trigeminal neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board is remanding the case for scheduling a personal hearing before the RO, as the Veteran requested one but has not been provided with an opportunity to do so.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be the result of fear of hostile military activity during his service in Saudi Arabia, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining Social Security disability records and issuing a statement of the case regarding her PTSD rating. The service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains on hold until it can be adjudicated properly.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, and for nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to March 1, 2011. The record did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and mental health treatment records. The VA will also request an addendum opinion on the issue of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine whether symptoms attributable to PTSD warrant an increased disability rating and to address the Veteran's claim of TDIU.