PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and TDIU related to his PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including private treatment records from Re-Entry Associates and any SSA disability benefits application records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 9, 2009. The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD and found that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the Rating Schedule. The Board finds that his disability picture warrants this higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating than 30 percent from April 12, 2006 to December 22, 2008, higher rating than 50 percent from December 23, 2008 to January 10, 2012, and higher rating than 70 percent from January 11, 2012 to January 14, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 21, 2010 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities caused him to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since April 1, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran's reduced reliability and productivity due to his PTSD did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities for the period prior to December 22, 2009.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to personal and sexual assault during service, which has been medically linked to his current diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence. The appeal is granted in this regard.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, migraine headaches, asthma, lumbosacral strain, right quadriceps strain, hemorrhoids, left bunion with pes planus, and other conditions. The claims are being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from November 22, 2010 to December 13, 2013. A disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD is granted during this period.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, specific phobia, and panic attack without agoraphobia is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was denied as the decision to deny his initial claim became final in April 2009, and he did not file a timely appeal of that denial. The RO granted service connection for PTSD on February 28, 2012, which is the appropriate effective date.