PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the retrieval of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and a VA examination to assess his PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in service due to lack of credible supporting evidence for a claimed in-service stressor. The acquired psychiatric disorder is considered new and material as it relates to his service experience.

The Board has restored the Veteran's PTSD rating from 70% to 50%, effective October 1, 2012. The issue of service connection for hypertension is dismissed as it is no longer in dispute.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from September 1, 2009 to September 15, 2009. From September 16, 2009 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD warranted a rating of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizophrenia, is related to active duty service and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and he does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 25, 2012, for service connection granted in that date. The evidence does not support a finding of an informal claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with polysubstance dependence in full remission and symptoms of depression was granted, effective January 4, 2005. The claims for depression and substance abuse were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is not service-connected due to lack of corroborating evidence for the in-service stressor, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was denied as there is no credible evidence to support the claimed in-service stressors, and his current psychiatric conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not total. The appeal is granted for a rating of 70 percent from February 2, 2005.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, which is currently rated at 100 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were denied, while the claim for service connection for dysequilibrium was denied. The initial evaluation for PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have been incurred during active duty service and related to a service-connected TBI. The initial ratings for cognitive disorder and HSV type 2 are denied, and the claim for TDIU prior to November 22, 2013 is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to a need for additional VA examination and evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow gainful employment prior to June 4, 2013. The effective date for the TDIU is set at May 10, 2010.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and denied his claim for a right knee disorder. The decision on the right knee issue is pending further action by the RO.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 70 percent since July 17, 2007. The current rating is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relationships, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher initial rating. The current 50% rating adequately reflects his disability.