PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain any form of substantially gainful employment due solely to the effects of his service-connected PTSD with abdominal pain, which is rated at 70 percent disabling.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating of 50 percent. The evidence showed some symptoms consistent with this level of disability but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's personal assault stressor is related to his PTSD and whether his substance abuse is secondary to or caused by his acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate rationale in previous opinions and failure to obtain necessary medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment, but not total, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood prior to September 13, 2011. The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 23, 2010, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since February 24, 2004, and increased to 50 percent from January 1, 2007, to June 6, 2008.,Effective June 7, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective October 27, 2008. The Board finds that the current evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for this case.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as zero percent disabling, with no evidence of symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or Major Depressive Disorder and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is not related to her service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are rated at 100 percent effective September 22, 2004. SMC based on housebound status is granted effective from the same date. The TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifest by intermittent suicidal ideation, near-continuous depression, continued sleep disturbances, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to March 5, 2010, and of 100 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent prior to February 6, 2008 and 50 percent from that date. The Board found no evidence of increased disability warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD has rendered him unable to obtain and maintain any form of substantially gainful employment for the entire appellate period, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence received since the last final decision does not relate specifically to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is granted. The claims of service connection for left leg and back disabilities are denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to January 22, 2009 and increased to 100 percent effective January 22, 2009. The appeal for an earlier effective date is denied.