PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that a timely substantive appeal was not submitted with respect to the issue of entitlement to an effective date prior to July 13, 2005 for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, bilateral knee and hip disorders, and low back disorder. The reopened claims are now considered together as all acquired psychiatric conditions are included.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD and Anxiety Disorder, is not shown to be the result of verified stressor events in service. The Board finds that his statements regarding service in Vietnam are not credible.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective June 22, 2009. The Board finds that the disability has manifested by moderate to severe occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional information from the Veteran regarding his reported stressors and verifying any verified stressors. An examination is also required to determine if a current acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, was incurred or aggravated as a result of service.

From May 22, 2007 until July 1, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,From July 2, 2010 to June 30, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD met the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation.,Since July 1, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by total occupational impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and thus service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression, bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic headaches and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service injury from a September 1964 automobile accident during INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the Board finding that it was not properly addressed in previous decisions. The case will be returned for further evaluation and consideration of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to June 13, 2005. From June 13, 2005, to January 10, 2009, the rating was increased to 50 percent. After that date, a higher evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his PTSD symptoms and their impact on employment, as well as a new examination if necessary. The TDIU claim must also be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, which approximates the criteria for this level of impairment. The Veteran does not have service connection for adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 9411. The symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, some suicidal ideation, and impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's gastritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been received. The issue is now on remand to obtain additional medical records and a VA opinion.

The Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD, but the in-service stressor sufficient to cause PTSD has not been verified. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by social and occupational impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood since December 15, 2009. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD effective from that date.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current sleep apnea, psychiatric disorder (including Major Depressive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), and bilateral pes planus were not shown in service or for years thereafter. The evidence does not support a finding of an in-service event or injury resulting in these conditions.