PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and whether it can be distinguished from an adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The claim will be readjudicated after all development.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder have been granted a rating of 70 percent, effective March 3, 2011.,PTSD and anxiety disorder are currently productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is found to be the result of military sexual trauma during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD, and thus grants the reopening. The decision on whether PTSD is service-connected remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's other acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, psychosis, depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, and cannabis dependence are not secondary to or aggravated by his newly service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected coronary heart disease and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU based on PTSD symptoms is being remanded due to the lack of a statement of the case (SOC) for the PTSD claim. The claims file does not contain a notification letter explaining the requirements for proving TDIU, so one should be provided.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since March 10, 2004. He is also entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge sitting at the RO due to the Veteran's failure to appear in April 2015. The issue of reopening the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, remains pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder was not caused by or incurred during qualifying military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not file a claim for service connection for PTSD prior to August 17, 2009. Therefore, an effective date earlier than August 17, 2009, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board has granted a disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, a cardiovascular disability, and diabetes mellitus. The claim for excessive weight gain was not addressed as it may be related to an already established condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a finding that he suffers from a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his combat service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person, as the evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused him to be in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a VA examination to address the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, and hypertension.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those related to sleep apnea, fatigue (claimed as secondary to PTSD), and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current level of disability. The Veteran previously had service connection for PTSD, but now seeks an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide further opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.