PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD, peroneal nerve disability, left hip strain, internal derangement of the left knee, and lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease are all rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been rated at 50 percent, which is the highest rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Veteran also meets criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acid reflux must be remanded due to additional development being required. The lung condition claim is reopened but remains pending.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was granted by the Board.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims. The claim for service connection for a nervous condition (psychiatric disorder) was reopened but ultimately denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Board finds a rating of 30 percent, but no higher, is warranted from October 2, 2008 forward.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as he has been diagnosed with PTSD and his lay testimony of in-service stressors is consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of his service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to inconsistencies in her reported history and inconsistent behaviors related to her symptoms of trauma. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing. The issues are related to increased rating for PTSD and individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded to the AOJ for further consideration of new evidence submitted by him, including biographical information printed from the Internet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, other than his sheltered self-employment. The criteria for TDIU were met, for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially evaluated as 30 percent disabling from September 15, 2008 to April 26, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining records of post-service treatment and providing the Veteran with a new VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by serious symptoms that more nearly approximate total social and occupational impairment since September 27, 2005. As of this date, the criteria for a 100 percent rating are met.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder were rated at 50 percent prior to November 14, 2013. After this date, the rating was increased to 70 percent.,The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been fully granted in an August 2014 rating decision, and the issue is no longer in appellate status.

Throughout the entire rating period, the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood due to psychiatric symptoms of intermittent suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities (i.e., sleeping in a chair nightly with a pistol), disturbances of motivation and mood due to depression and anxiety, flattened affect, impairment of short-term and long-term memory, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, chronic sleep impairment, and use of continuous medication.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and found that the Veteran's symptoms are linked to a reported in-service sexual assault. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is remanded due to the need for further VA medical opinion.