PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest pending claim was filed on March 23, 2010. The decision is based on the liberalizing law which became effective on July 13, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that he is unemployable due to his PTSD. The VA examinations are needed for a comprehensive evaluation of his left forearm condition and skin disorder claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 29, 2010. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left leg/calf disability. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by depression, chronic sleep impairment, and anxiety, which results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability. The Board finds that a 50 percent rating for PTSD is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to April 13, 2012, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 50 percent from August 8, 1998 to December 10, 2001 and 70 percent from December 10, 2001 to February 5, 2002.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with a panic disorder is at least as likely as not attributable to his active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow all forms of substantially gainful employment prior to July 2, 2009. As a result, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD are currently rated at 70 percent disabling since January 21, 2010. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, right hand disability, and left shoulder disability were denied. The claim for headaches was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Ratings for the right foot and left shoulder disabilities remain at their current levels.

The Veteran's initial schedular rating for PTSD has been granted at 50 percent, which is the current assigned rating. The Board finds that his symptoms have approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is found to be related to his service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining in-service mental health records and private treatment records from Dr. Merritt, as these records are relevant to determining whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of his military service, specifically due to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his intelligence work in West Berlin.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a PTSD examination, and considering the TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for vision impairment, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, mental stress and depression. The decision concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was incurred in service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder. The Veteran is now entitled to have his claim reviewed on its merits.