PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors were too vague to be corroborated and there was no diagnosis of PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to address the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran is found competent to handle disbursement of VA funds, including the increased compensation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Disability records and pre-service medical records. The Veteran's psychiatric condition is also to be reviewed by a psychiatrist who has not previously examined her.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for PTSD, finding that prior to January 31, 2012, his PTSD symptoms did not more nearly approximate findings consistent with occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, asthma, tinnitus, chronic headaches, and bilateral knee condition. The evidence received since the final denial is sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, and the Board grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD results in reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as anxiety, depressed mood, isolation, sleep impairment, and suspiciousness. The Board finds that the current rating of 50 percent adequately compensates for his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, are related to her in-service stressors involving sexual assault and exposure to burn victims. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but his diabetes has been granted with a 40% evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD substantially contributed to his death from respiratory failure and heart disease with associated renal disease, thus granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder etiologically related to service, and the Veteran's symptoms were attributed to personality disorders rather than PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not manifest during active military service and was not caused or aggravated by any incident of service. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment effective June 26, 2009. The Board has granted a TDIU rating for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a 50 percent disability rating effective January 16, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms since September 11, 2013, have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating. The Board has not determined whether service connection for a thyroid condition or asthma should be granted as secondary to his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Board found that there is no evidence showing bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus were incurred in service, and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent disabling since August 9, 2012. The Board finds that the current rating of 70 percent is more appropriate for the period before this date.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no allegation of error regarding the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder, which covers PTSD.

Service connection for PTSD was granted, but the issue is dismissed as there is no case or controversy to adjudicate.