PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 30, 2009, for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the increase in disability to meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating did not occur within one year prior to his July 30, 2009 claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including depression, is granted. The claim to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from November 26, 2008 to December 19, 2010, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis has been reopened, and his PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent. The Veteran contends that a higher initial rating is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to service connection for blindness, as secondary to his PTSD. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to December 8, 2010, and in excess of 50 percent from December 8, 2010, for PTSD remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence that he filed a timely appeal. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD resulted in a grant of service connection and a 30% disability rating, effective from March 3, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for loss of the #8 tooth due to dental trauma, and new and material evidence claims respecting his cervical spine and headache disorders as the Veteran wishes to withdraw these appeals. The psychiatric disorder claim remains under review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to handle his own financial affairs due to mental health conditions and substance abuse issues, resulting in a denial of his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are found to be related to his verified in-service stressors, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his military service.,Both conditions have been found to be related to the Veteran's in-country service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain unit records from Fort Hood and to provide a VA examination to determine if any psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of PTSD remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since April 2003, warranting a 100 percent schedular evaluation from April 14, 2003 to February 16, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating from December 20, 2011. The claim for an increased rating was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective November 15, 2011. The effective date is the day following the filing of her application to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's request for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, has been remanded due to her failure to attend the scheduled hearing and her request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The Veteran was also granted service connection for a respiratory condition, with asthma being the specific diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in a 100 percent disability rating effective September 26, 2012, due to occupational and social impairment with total occupational and social impairment.