PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's request to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before a member of the Board by live videoconference.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent prior to April 25, 2013 and at 50 percent from that date onwards.,Since April 25, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records. The issue of an increased initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol abuse will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with proper notice regarding his personal assault claim.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he had been gainfully employed during the relevant time period.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge barred him from receiving VA benefits other than medical care, which means he cannot establish veteran status and therefore cannot be granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board finds that the criteria for an effective date prior to January 3, 2007, for the assignment of a 100% disability evaluation for service-connected Generalized Anxiety with Headaches and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is service-connected as it was caused by his experiences during active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to March 1, 2011 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred in service due to a verified traumatic event during his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety and depression is denied as there is no evidence that his current conditions began during or were caused by his military service from January 2003 to December 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to incidents reported by the Veteran during service, including drug use and threats of violence. The appeal will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 27, 2006 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder with PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD was granted and assigned a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that additional development, including an examination and notification to the Veteran about alternative sources of evidence for in-service stressors, is necessary before a final decision can be made on the issues of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rate of educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is denied as he was discharged from active duty due to completion of required service, not a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression was granted service connection, but the initial assigned rating of 30 percent is maintained. The Board found that his symptoms most closely approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, which was of service onset or is related to any events that occurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but new evidence has reopened his claim. Service connection for depression is not established as service connected.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 24, 2012. The rating is granted as the disability results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.