PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to in-service personal assaults and racial discrimination. The issues of reopening service connection for depression and granting service connection for PTSD have been resolved.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are linked to her in-service stressors and resulting disability. The rating assigned is 30%.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining verification of stressors and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II, including secondary to inservice exposure to herbicides is granted. The Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for an increased evaluation beyond the current 50% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 8, 1998 to December 13, 2000. The Board denied a higher initial rating for PTSD and an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his death from heart disease, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Board finds that there is no competent diagnosis of PTSD in the record, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since March 5, 2013. The RO found that the Veteran's occupational and social impairment warranted this rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus did not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to May 9, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not show he was unemployable due to these conditions.

The Board has referred the issue of entitlement to TDIU back to the RO for adjudication due to a remand order from the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of aid and attendance, qualifying for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance. He is also entitled to a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his permanent and total disability resulting from service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting an initial evaluation of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions will be evaluated to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling since June 13, 2012. The rating is based on the criteria for a disability due to mental disorders, specifically PTSD.

The Board finds that the appellant's periods of AWOL following his combat tour in the Republic of Vietnam are justified due to compelling circumstances, and thus does not constitute a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective October 5, 2005.,The Veteran was granted a 100% rating for PTSD effective May 8, 2007.

The Board finds that the Veteran's reported stressor during service was due to his own willful misconduct, and therefore does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of her VA and private treatment records.