PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after he attends the hearing at the earliest available opportunity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD with alcohol abuse and service connection for hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis, finding that no formal or informal claim was received within one year of discharge.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, major depression, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for varicose veins of the right and left legs are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) file and VA treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after the requested development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was aggravated by active duty service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 14, 2010, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted with an effective date of September 5, 2006. The Board found that the original denial never became final due to the Veteran's timely appeal and assigned a new effective date based on the earliest evidence of treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, and therefore DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Board finds that the service-connected residuals of a right lower leg shrapnel wound contributed to the Veteran's death due to a fall and traumatic brain injury, which was found as an underlying cause of death.

The Veteran's dementia has worsened, and he is no longer competent to handle his VA funds due to his mental incapacity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 13, 2010 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted. The Board also found that he is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to September 17, 2012, reflecting moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no issues were addressed as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; skin disorder, including psoriatic arthritis; liver disorder, including cirrhosis; portal hypertension; and esophageal disorder prior to a decision by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder must be remanded due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of corroborating evidence of an in-service personal assault. The Veteran is scheduled for a VA examination to determine if he experienced such an assault and whether his current psychiatric disorders are related to it.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Meniere's disease, PTSD and depressive disorder, and TBI have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining more recent treatment records and scheduling a VA PTSD examination. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU, and the Board finds that he is unable to secure or maintain any substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been primarily manifested by symptoms such as depression, anxiety, nightmares occurring four times a month or more, difficulty with sleeping and concentration, and being easily startled. The Board found that these symptoms have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.