PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, has been productive of occupational and social impairment in most areas due to symptoms such as depression affecting the ability to function independently; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances; and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board finds that a 50 percent rating is warranted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and anxiety, but the claim is being remanded due to a lack of relevant treatment records.

The VA determined that the appellant's PTSD did not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, as his symptoms were consistent with occupational and social impairment due to mild memory loss and occasional decrease in work efficiency.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied as the claim was received on July 19, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim. The Veteran's fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his service in Vietnam is sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records and conduct further development.

The Board has determined that additional development of the record is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran was granted a combined disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected disabilities effective August 25, 2005. The Board found that the Veteran met the criteria for TDIU as of this date and confirmed the effective date of January 17, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's disorders did not have onset during active service and are not etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and dismissed the DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 claim as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported stressors and the need for verification of certain alleged incidents.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective April 10, 2006. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 100 percent disabling since June 13, 2009.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or depression related to his military service, and thus denies both claims.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of July 1, 1992 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher combined rating on account of service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. � 4.25, finding that his combined ratings were accurately calculated both in the June 1998 rating decision and in the February 2012 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from June 24, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his MDD. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision is based on a finding that her current psychiatric disorders are not related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety neurosis with PTSD was not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 10, 2009 or in excess of 50 percent on or after that date.