PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as she does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to her service-connected PTSD.

The evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed stressors were not verified and thus did not establish service connection for PTSD. The acquired psychiatric disability was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder, was previously denied but later reopened due to new evidence. Prior to June 12, 2003, the Veteran received a 30% evaluation for her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain medical records and provide a VA examination for the Veteran's claimed conditions. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his PTSD and right knee disability, did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from pneumonia. Other conditions such as COPD, diabetes mellitus, smoking-related issues, and pre-existing pneumonia were also contributing factors.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder. The evidence received since the final April 1997 denial is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II or PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum from a VA psychologist regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 14, 2011. The disability has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of PTSD. The Veteran's claim is pending and will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Board finds that service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder has been granted based on reopening of the claims due to new evidence.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including verification of an in-service stressor event and examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone rendered him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 23, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent effective February 28, 2006. This rating is in line with the symptoms described and the criteria for a 50% evaluation under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence that a formal or informal claim was filed prior to June 2, 1997. The Board finds that the earliest document that can be construed as a claim for service connection for PTSD is the June 2, 1997 informal claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression). The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred during his active duty service. Service connection was not established for the lumbar spine or psychiatric conditions.