PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 15, 2013, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for a retrospective evaluation of when the Veteran first met the DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, based on the receipt of additional unit history records. The effective date will be determined using the 2005 version of 38 C.F.R. § 3.156.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a video conference hearing. The issues include service connection for hemorrhoids, initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, and increased ratings for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD from May 10, 2007 was denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at this time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and a gastrointestinal disability are being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case will be further developed, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for another VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has ordered a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed PTSD, including whether any stressors are related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The Veteran will be provided with an opportunity to respond to this remand.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, diagnosed as a mood disorder manifested by depression with anxiety. The latter claim is based on secondary service connection due to its being caused or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the appellate period from May 30, 2008 to June 22, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise a July 2005 decision that denied an earlier effective date for PTSD, finding no clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea. His sleep apnea remains at a 100% rating from December 1, 2009, to May 19, 2013, but drops back to a 50% rating thereafter. The Veteran's ED claim is denied.

The Veteran's combined rating of 70 percent due to service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disorders do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as his initial claim was not appealed within one year and he did not file a new claim until May 18, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice of a videoconference hearing. The issues are whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his PTSD claim, and entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the grant of service connection, and a higher rating is warranted based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent disability rating effective December 30, 2009. He is also granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating for PTSD was not granted as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a perforated ear drum is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during his active duty or thereafter. The claims for headaches and psychiatric disability are also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence supporting the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the hip joints is pending. The claim for a skin rash has been reopened but remains denied as new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II is granted. The low back disability claim was previously denied and reopening was granted due to new evidence received. Service connection is established based on a finding that the current condition is related to active duty.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatica and plantar fasciitis remains pending as new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The eye disability claim was previously denied but reopened due to new evidence received, however no service connection is granted as there is no link between current condition and active duty.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, major depression, anxiety disorder) claim remains pending as new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board has granted a higher rating to 70 percent effective July 25, 2011. The headaches are rated at 30 percent.