PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of service due to an in-service stressor related to fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, Adjustment Disorder, and Alcohol Use Disorder, are found to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was granted with an initial rating of 70 percent, effective October 4, 2011. The right lower inner lip scar and loss of teeth due to the residuals of fracture of mandible were both rated at 10 percent each. Service connection for traumatic brain injury, headaches, left heel strain, lumbosacral spine strain, esophageal cancer, and obstructive sleep apnea was granted as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 13, 2005 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The issue of entitlement to a compensable disability rating prior to February 16, 2005 and to a greater than 70 percent rating from that date is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and depression, was not shown in service or for a substantial time after service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD resulting from his active duty deployment. Service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the retrieval of treatment records and further consideration. The issues include a request for a higher initial rating for PTSD, currently rated at 30 percent, and an application for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in 1987 due to lack of evidence. She filed a new petition to reopen her claim on February 5, 1997 and received a diagnosis of PTSD during an August 1997 VA examination. The Board granted service connection for PTSD based on the new evidence submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from her National Guard service and SSA records. The case will be re-adjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis is related to his conceded in-service stressor.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 17, 2009. He is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities from June 17, 2009 to August 2, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of both feet was denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in either foot and concluded that the Veteran did not have a chronic disease during service or post-service continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD meets the schedular requirements for a total disability rating and he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected PTSD. The Board grants entitlement to TDIU due to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right ankle disorders are currently rated at 20 percent each, effective from September 2011. The highest schedular evaluations for these conditions have already been assigned.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and employment records from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and former employer (USPS). A new VA examination will be conducted to assess the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment and to determine whether his hypertension is caused by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of her PTSD. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted, and the Board finds that his current symptoms are related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to increased ratings for other service-connected conditions remains on appeal.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD. The case is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, was rated at 30 percent prior to December 4, 2014. From December 4, 2014, the rating was increased to 50 percent.