PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded this case for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to the appellant's request.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are found to be related to a personal assault he experienced during his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and migraines are rated at the highest possible levels, with a 70% rating for PTSD and a 50% rating for migraines. The TDIU is granted as well.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD since July 15, 2009 is denied as his PTSD does not cause total social and occupational impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 10 percent rating, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant an increase to a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of a left elbow disability, an acquired psychiatric disability other than major depressive disorder, and TDIU. His claim for increased evaluation of major depressive disorder was granted with a rating of 70%. Service connection for hypertension secondary to major depressive disorder was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from January 20, 1989 to January 30, 1994 for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a VA examination. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again with the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for an updated medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 4, 2011. The rating reflects significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if any of the service treatment records showing psychiatric symptoms occurred during a period of active duty for training (as opposed to inactive duty training).

The Veteran's appeal of the initial 70 percent disability rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, thus dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 80%, which meets the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU. However, the weight of the evidence indicates that these disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with psychotic features was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or a link to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial disability rating for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support granting either claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD based on personal assault, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcoholism resulted in severe psychiatric disability that more frequently resulted in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100% rating from October 1, 2007 to February 18, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms warranted a 100 percent disability rating effective October 20, 2009. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 7, 2008 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the symptoms since July 7, 2008 are consistent with those found at the July 2009 VA examination.