PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of a stressor event in service and medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. He is now diagnosed with PTSD, which he claims is related to his military service experiences. His acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including adjustment disorder) and xerostomia secondary to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the right tonsil are also recognized.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including schizoaffective disorder, depression, insomnia, and paranoid psychosis, are also considered in this decision.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent rating for PTSD and denied a higher rating for the Head Injury with Headaches and History of Post-Concussion Syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, specifically from Dr. Owais and Dr. Burnett, which may provide further insight into his ability to work due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for enhanced/higher SMC based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits under Chapter 31 of Title 38 was denied because she is already employed in an occupation consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective December 11, 2006. The Board has now remanded the case for further adjudication due to a Memorandum Decision from the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims setting aside part of the September 24, 2013, Board decision that denied staged ratings for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood for the entire appeal period.,The criteria for a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to December 2, 2014 have been met; however, the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent from December 2, 2014 have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that it would warrant a higher evaluation. The evidence does not demonstrate that his service-connected disability precludes him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that his claimed in-service stressors were not credible and that there was no evidence linking any current psychiatric disorders to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and conduct further development, including a new VA examination for PTSD and a Social and Industrial Survey. The claims will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible schedular rating (100%) since July 31, 2008, due to total social and occupational impairment. The Veteran also meets criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood and PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent, but not higher, throughout the period of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a current examination and the lack of recent VA examination records. The Veteran also requested additional treatment records from private providers.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, with an effective date of November 22, 1998.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a combined effects opinion on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD related to his military service, including deployment in an imminent danger pay area. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not file a claim for service connection prior to October 7, 2009. Therefore, the effective dates of the grants of service connection are denied.