PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD, is related to his conceded in-service stressor of military sexual assault and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied reopening the claim for PTSD and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted and rated at 70 percent since January 25, 2014. The initial rating of 30 percent prior to March 22, 2012, and the increased rating from 50 percent to 70 percent are maintained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The underlying claim of whether service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is warranted will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, but denied his other service connection and rating claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA medical records. The Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, will be evaluated to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective February 13, 2012. The appeal for increased ratings and reopening of service connection claims were denied.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if his current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service. Relevant treatment records must also be obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent since May 28, 2014. Prior to that date, the rating was 30 percent. The effective date for this decision remains unknown as it does not pertain to service connection.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional records and review the claim.

The Board granted an effective date of September 10, 1984 for the award of service connection for PTSD based on new evidence provided in May 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling effective November 2, 2007. Service connection for hematuria due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with associated alcohol dependence and other service-connected conditions, most nearly approximates the criteria for a 70 percent rating beginning April 13, 2012. The Board granted service connection for neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to his PTSD and associated alcohol dependence. Service connection was also granted for radiculopathy of the right leg and bilateral CTS, both found to be related to his PTSD and alcohol dependence.

The Board has granted a 100% rating for the Veteran's service-connected paranoid schizophrenia, also claimed as PTSD, effective from August 16, 1999 to May 21, 2015.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than June 1, 2010, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to statements submitted by the Veteran and his representative that could be construed as notices of disagreement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim of hepatitis B carrier, and PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine disability and PTSD, but denied his request for an earlier effective date for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's testimony regarding his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.