PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in areas such as work, social relations, judgment, and mood. The Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder prior to July 30, 2014, did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating than 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, will be examined by a psychologist or psychiatrist to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were found to be indicative of mild impairment, warranting a 10 percent rating from March 5, 2001, to September 14, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms result in total occupational and social impairment throughout the pendency of the appeal, warranting a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for PTSD was denied by the Board as there is no factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to his July 17, 2007 claim. The RO correctly assigned this effective date based on the lack of communication during that period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD, and for additional development including obtaining Social Security Administration records. The TDIU claim will also be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but remanded due to need for additional development including verification of stressor and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, has been granted. The Board finds it at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current depression symptoms are at least partially attributable to her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of service connection under the presumptive provisions due to potential exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent prior to February 11, 2012 and increased to 70 percent from that date. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to mortar fire. The Board finds that the Veteran's reported stressors are corroborated and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was not received earlier than February 15, 2006. Therefore, the effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 9, 2011. The VA Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they were consistent with reduced reliability and productivity but without deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent effective April 23, 2007 for accrued benefits purposes. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) sitting at the RO or in the alternative, a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating for the period prior to January 28, 2012.