PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has waived the requirement for a timely substantive appeal and granted the Veteran's appeal to proceed with his claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for pelvic bone fracture and service connection for various conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including locating missing service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disability in either ear for VA compensation purposes, and thus cannot establish service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claim for left ear hearing loss is granted as there are chronic symptoms of hearing impairment in service. Service connection for tinnitus and PTSD are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome of the right knee and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, but his appeal for a higher rating prior to September 24, 2008, was not fully addressed as it is unclear if he received a full grant of benefits. His initial ratings for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and PTSD remain at 20% and 50%, respectively.

The Veteran's IBS with abdominal pain has been granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating. The Board finds that the Veteran's left hip, low back, neck, bilateral foot, and bilateral elbow disabilities may be related to his service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has ordered a remand for the VA to obtain and consider additional medical records, including those from the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, Orlando VA Medical Center, and Nanticoke General Hospital. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent. The combined rating for both conditions is 90 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since September 24, 2008. The decision grants a higher initial rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, with PTSD features and alcohol abuse, is rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent from June 27, 2007. Prior to that date, the initial rating was 30 percent. The Veteran's symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment since June 27, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment. Bilateral hearing loss has been rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination and consideration of the amended regulations regarding service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and gunshot wound residuals, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is not shown to meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as his symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by mild memory loss, sleep impairment, hyperarousal, anxiety, and some occupational impairment. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depression due to new evidence of an in-service stressor related to fear of hostile military activity, as well as a need for further examination regarding his depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding no evidence of a verified in-service stressor or direct relationship to service. The claim for reopening the dental disorder was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability and a heart disorder, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that any current heart disorder is not caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has resolved into remission during the appeal period, resulting in no more than mild impairment to social and occupational functioning. As a result, an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is not warranted.