PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's current psychiatric condition and whether it is related to service. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's experiences qualify as 'fear of hostile military or terrorist activity,' and satisfy the stressor element of service connection for PTSD. As a result, his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of gainful employment consistent with his educational background and occupational experience, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been dismissed as he wishes to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms including disturbances of motivation and mood, sleep problems, anxious affect, intrusive thoughts, irritability problems including outbursts of anger, suicidal ideation, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish effective relationships. The Veteran is currently assigned a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a videoconference hearing. The rating and TDIU issues remain pending.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD; a low back disability; and a bilateral hip disability were denied. The Veteran had reported experiencing stressors during World War II typhoons but his STRs did not show any treatment or diagnosis of a nervous disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of total occupational and social impairment for the entire appeal period, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from October 1, 2006 to October 6, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, effective November 28, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher initial rating of 50 percent for this period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, but denied the underlying claim as there is no evidence to support a diagnosis or link between his claimed in-service stressor and his current PTSD. The depression claim remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and his left knee disability with medial meniscectomy is also rated at 30 percent. Both conditions are characterized by symptoms consistent with the assigned ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Denver, Colorado RO for a videoconference hearing and further development. The issues include increased rating for PTSD, non-compensable rating for headaches, and service connection for back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between his current symptoms and any in-service stressor.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, either directly or as a result of aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The Board found that the cause of death was due to multiple traumatic injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD symptoms resulted in moderate occupational and social impairment, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of service connection. The appeal for TDIU is also granted.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than January 27, 2010 for the grant of a 70 percent evaluation for panic disorder with agoraphobia and PTSD is not warranted.