PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for more contemporaneous medical findings and a VA examination.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's testimony at a personal hearing in May 2012 is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for any of the conditions listed, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his active military service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, sleep impairment, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and impaired relationships. The current rating of 70% is appropriate given these findings.

The Board found no competent and credible evidence indicating the Veteran currently suffers from a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 2, 2012, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were rated at 20 percent effective September 30, 2011.,PTSD was rated at 50 percent effective September 30, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and his hypertension claim for secondary service connection to PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 31, 2005. The claimant is also entitled to a TDIU effective from August 2010.,Since June 12, 2012, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 70 percent.

The case is being remanded for further development and readjudication of the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports this reopening. The claims of service connection for a sleep disorder and TDIU are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and considering the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are consistent with his service and have been linked to his current PTSD diagnosis. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether all service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and multiple scars, render the Veteran unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD disability warranted a 100% rating effective May 2, 2006.,Special monthly compensation for aid and attendance was granted effective May 2, 2006.

The Veteran's child is not considered eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits due to the Veteran's total and permanent disability rating being reduced.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by total occupational and social impairment since May 24, 2004. The Board finds that an evaluation of 100 percent is warranted from this date.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the claim was filed, and he is also granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder and dementia resulted in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The VA determined that a 70 percent disability rating was warranted for this condition.