PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relationships, judgment, and mood. The Board has determined that an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD prior to September 10, 2008, meets the criteria, but a higher evaluation is not warranted at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, a temporary 100% evaluation due to hospitalization for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU. The case is being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration of the evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 19, 2012. The disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as frequent panic attacks, depression, nightmares, flashbacks, impaired concentration, social phobia, anhedonia, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for a finding of permanency, as there is no clinical basis to support such a determination.

The Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence of a PTSD stressor occurring during service, and the acquired psychiatric disorder did not have onset during service or be caused by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability evaluation from December 10, 2009 to October 20, 2013.

The Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, and the Board finds that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and medical records from private physicians. The appellant's claims for PTSD, low back disability, and TDIU will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development of evidence being required, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and examining the Veteran for his skin disorder and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of stressors and obtaining treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, rated as 30 percent disabling. This rating qualified him for additional compensation for dependents, which he was entitled to based on evidence in the file at his death.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 30 percent disabling, effective from the date of the decision. The other service connection claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to August 22, 2012. He is also entitled to a TDIU rating due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to her in-service sexual assault and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 28, 1985, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder has been granted. The case is now remanded to consider his claims for increased disability rating and individual unemployability.