PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence was not manifested by total occupational and social impairment prior to July 31, 2013. For the period from July 31, 2013, his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and retrieval of all pertinent VA outpatient treatment records. The claim of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities will also be addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and psychosis for medical treatment purposes. The decision found that there is no diagnosis of PTSD, and the psychosis claim was not supported by evidence within two years of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS was initially rated at 10 percent prior to September 28, 2011. Beginning from September 28, 2011, the disability is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, with no higher ratings warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective September 21, 2007. The Board also granted an earlier effective date of May 16, 1997 for the assignment of a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are found to have been incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The TDIU claim will also be reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including adjudication of the referred claim of entitlement to an increased evaluation for service-connected hearing loss. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated with consideration of both a schedular basis and extraschedular basis.

The claims to reopen service connection for cold injury residuals of the right foot and PTSD/Depression have been granted. The claim for sleep disorder has not met the criteria for service connection.,New evidence supports reopening of the claims for cold injury residuals and PTSD/Depression, but does not establish a current disability or link between service and these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 4, 2006.,The Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy disability was initially rated as 0 percent and increased to 10 percent effective February 8, 2007. It was then increased to 10 percent effective February 14, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating. The evidence does not support an increase to higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depression was granted, and an effective date of April 27, 2012 was assigned. The Board affords the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran, finding it as likely as not that he had a diagnosis of PTSD with major depression linked to verified stressor events from February 18, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues with the duty to assist and notification of alternative forms of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms from December 6, 2002 to October 27, 2003 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, neck condition, headaches, and PTSD. The decision found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and also found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the September 1982 rating decision denying service connection.

The Board found that the evidence does not establish a service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service existence of these conditions.