PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address whether any diagnosed psychiatric disability other than PTSD is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the unavailability of a transcript from his August 2014 Travel Board hearing. He will be scheduled for another hearing at the RO.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability related to service and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied. The diagnoses of Major Depressive Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder, Alcohol Dependence, and Amphetamine Abuse are also not supported by evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and considering an addendum opinion. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, which is now granted. The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms are related to an in-service stressor of military sexual trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The claim for an initial disability rating for PTSD prior to November 7, 2013 and from November 7, 2013 has also been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% disability rating effective February 5, 2014. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused or contributed substantially to his death due to cardiopulmonary arrest, diabetes, and hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of serious occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period, warranting a rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling since July 27, 2009. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms including depression, anxiety, nightmares, anger problems, and limited social interaction.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including suicidal thoughts with intent, depression, anxiety, and memory impairment, more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the effective date of service connection, and no higher rating is warranted based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 23, 2010. The appeal is for higher ratings but the current rating of 50 percent is considered appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and small airway obstructive disease, both for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against the finding that the Veteran's diagnosed conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI have been rated based on their current manifestations, with the PTSD receiving a 30 percent evaluation and the TBI a 40 percent evaluation. The appeal for increased evaluations has been denied.