PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus he is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with effective dates set at November 30, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating, due to symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger of hurting self or others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, and disorientation to time or place.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional examination and opinion to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD or CAD.

The Veteran's death was caused by inflicted sharp wounds due to severe corporal trauma, but there is no evidence linking any psychiatric disability, including PTSD, to his service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and the Board finds that his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service is sufficient to establish a diagnosis. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due solely to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was granted, and he is now receiving a 30 percent rating for PTSD as of May 7, 2009.,Previously, the Veteran had been rated at 10 percent for PTSD since May 7, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders, with particular focus on whether PTSD can be diagnosed and if so, whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, effective from December 1, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 50 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for right hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus, have rendered him unemployable. However, a VA examination is needed to assess the combined effect of these conditions on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied as there is no evidence that he filed a prior claim to reopen before September 30, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying stressors. The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression and a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are being reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and PTSD, as well as a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since November 15, 2006. With resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, a 50 percent rating for PTSD with depressive disorder is granted effective from November 15, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for a herpes condition are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to his period of service, specifically his in-service stressors related to witnessing dead bodies and being sexually assaulted by fellow soldiers. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a schizoaffective disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and a dysthymic disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on whether his diagnosed dysthymia or major depressive disorder are related to his active service.