PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10% prior to January 3, 2008 and increased to 30% from January 3, 2008 to October 23, 2009. From October 23, 2009 onward, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70%. The lumbar spine disability has been rated at 20%.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70%, which represents total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD stressors, including those that occurred at Fort Knox and Fort Hood. The claim is now pending again with the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The preponderance of the evidence weighs against a relationship between the Veteran's active duty service and his current mental health diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 6, 2001.,He is granted a TDIU effective from April 6, 2001.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder and finds no evidence linking his current psychiatric disabilities to service. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated at a 70 percent disability rating from October 31, 2003 to July 21, 2005.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Court has remanded the case due to missing medical records and an addendum opinion regarding hospitalization.

The Board has ordered additional VA treatment records to be obtained and the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a gynecological disorder are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, left foot cold injury, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his education level and work experience.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 23, 2007 and increased to 70 percent effective October 17, 2011.,The Veteran's TBI was initially rated at 10 percent in March 2008 and later increased to 70 percent effective October 17, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his active duty service and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from February 18, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, but not due to alcohol abuse. The VA psychiatrist concluded that PTSD did not cause or aggravate the Veteran's alcohol use.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records from the Lecanto Vet Center. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be causally related to her military service, and she is granted service connection for this condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appealed claim and because the effective date for the grant of service connection for headaches is final.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, but the Board has determined that a rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted prior to January 29, 2011. The claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral knee arthritis, arthritis of the right wrist, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, back condition, neck condition, pneumonia, and cholinergic urticaria have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent rating, effective June 6, 2009. Appeals for bilateral hearing loss and nose bleeds have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is set at March 8, 1986, based on a presumption of herbicide exposure. Claims to reopen for rheumatic fever with residual heart murmur of mitral regurgitation and residuals of a stroke are denied due to lack of new and material evidence.