PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 50 percent, effective May 5, 2010. His claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than May 29, 2001 for the award of service connection for PTSD.,The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 7, 2010, and in excess of 30 percent from February 8, 2010, for service-connected PTSD.,The Board denied an effective date earlier than February 8, 2010 for the grant of additional compensation for the Veteran's dependent spouse.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and readjudicating the issues with consideration of all evidence added since the last statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal for an educational assistance benefits rate in excess of 60 percent under the post-9/11 GI Bill is denied as he did not have at least 36 months of creditable active duty service or a discharge due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on combined effects of multiple service-connected disabilities. The current rating for PTSD does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and finds insufficient evidence to link his schizophrenia to service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his in-service sexual assault and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was incurred in active duty due to military sexual trauma.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to April 28, 2014 resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. Beginning April 28, 2014, the Veteran experienced reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sleep impairment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and mental health conditions (claimed as anxiety and depression) are not related to service, including an in-service stressor. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a higher rating for depressive disorder are pending.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including the provision of an examination and consideration of whether his service-connected conditions alone rendered him unemployable prior to August 15, 2000.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis of bilateral upper and lower extremities did not manifest in service, within one year of service, or is related to service. The Board also found that her gout was not incurred in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to insufficient evidence of a verified in-service stressor. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and hypertension claims are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need to corroborate a stressor related to the Veteran's service with the South Carolina National Guard.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for anxiety disorder, NOS, prior to June 1, 2011, and in excess of 50 percent from then on; service connection for PTSD; service connection for depression; service connection for bilateral hearing loss; and service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling as of May 30, 2012, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA mental health treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The outcome of these actions could affect both the initial rating claim and the TDIU claim.