PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran is granted an effective date of May 16, 2011 for the award of TDIU. The claim was received on that date and VA found the Veteran unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD more than one year prior.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which are cumulatively rated at 90 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting mild to moderate symptomatology. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder and adjustment disorder is related to fear of hostile military activity during service in the Republic of Vietnam, and the Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent, and he does not qualify for TDIU based on his service-connected disability alone.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 2008, and he is granted a TDIU effective from January 2008. The initial rating of 50 percent was maintained prior to July 5, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 21, 2013. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's death was deemed service-connected, but the appellant did not meet the eligibility requirements for recognition as his surviving spouse due to her marriage being less than one year prior to his death and occurring more than fifteen years after he separated from service. The claim for reimbursement of burial expenses is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further consideration.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA records and schedule a psychiatric examination, as the current evaluation is for an initial claim of PTSD with depression.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected hepatitis C was denied. The Board found that the April 2010 examination did not adequately consider the fluctuating weight-related aspect of his condition and remanded the case to provide a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to a reported sexual assault during service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not productive of symptoms that warrant a disability rating greater than 50 percent on an extraschedular basis, and his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board denied both claims.

The Veteran's alcohol dependence was found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the issue of an increased rating for PTSD is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chondromalacia and osteoarthritis of the right knee. The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 50% disabling.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with features of generalized anxiety and PTSD, and depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, resulted in significant impairment but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board upheld the original 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, effective May 22, 2008. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment due to mild symptoms that decrease work efficiency during periods of significant stress.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD results in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, as his diagnosis is based on in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The claim for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to additional evidence submitted since the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case.