PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD was granted and assigned a 30 percent rating, effective December 7, 2012. The disability is manifested by occupational and social impairment with mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform tasks only during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and the issue of service connection for vertigo was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 9411.

The Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder have been granted service connection, but the Board found that they do not warrant a rating higher than 70 percent. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of PTSD as a result of service, and additional mental health treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a cognitive disorder have been denied, while his claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a burn on the left hand has also been denied. The issue regarding TDIU is not discussed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that his claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was incurred in service due to a personal assault. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have varied over time, with the most severe manifestations occurring since February 4, 2013. The VA has granted a 70% disability rating for PTSD effective from June 7, 2012 to February 3, 2013, and a 100% rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral post-operative inguinal hernia scars, and right and left inguinal hernias have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total social and occupational impairment. For the period beginning on October 30, 2014, his PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and MDD was granted with an effective date of June 9, 2007, the day following his separation from active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a nervous condition, including PTSD and drug and alcohol abuse. The Veteran is found to have a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, a nervous disorder, and major depressive disorder with drug and alcohol dependence, which is attributable to his active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder NOS, and polysubstance abuse and dependence have been rated at the highest possible level of 100 percent. The rating for recurrent urolithiasis/kidney stones is not applicable as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The rating for patellar tendinitis and Osgood Schlatter's Disease of the left knee remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD have been granted ratings of 50 percent each, effective from the date of claim.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include generalized anxiety disorder and finds that it is at least as likely as not caused by or the result of his service. The Veteran's other acquired psychiatric disorders are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, including VA treatment records and private hospitalization records. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, but her mood and somatization disorders are service connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his PTSD. The issues of service connection for tinnitus and TDIU are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD, as his last examination was conducted over a decade ago. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.