PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence that his PTSD first manifested prior to April 29, 2011.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the TDIU claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining medical records and conducting a Social and Industrial Survey to assess the Veteran's employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD during the appeal period. The preponderance of the evidence fails to establish that his diagnosed anxiety disorder is etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The appeal is being remanded due to a pending reduction of the Veteran's PTSD disability rating, which could affect his eligibility for DEA benefits. The case will be reviewed again after the proposed reduction is adjudicated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in a TDIU since March 30, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for foot fungus was denied, and his PTSD was rated at 50 percent. The Board found no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as social isolation, poor sleep patterns, and difficulty maintaining employment. However, the disability does not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and TDIU were denied. The case was remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of PTSD.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the acquired psychiatric disorder prior to July 16, 2012, based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and providing a new VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or secondary to tinnitus.

The Board found that the appellant's periods of AWOL following his tour in Vietnam were conducted under compelling circumstances, and thus did not constitute willful and persistent misconduct. As a result, the character of the appellant's active duty service does not constitute a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and residuals from shrapnel wounds to his legs. The case will also be reviewed for entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, which is considered a direct service connection as no presumption or secondary condition was established. The other conditions are still under consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected biliary cancer, which caused his death in November 2008, is found to be related to his military service due to exposure to liver flukes during his time in Vietnam and Korea. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD, and for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim should be recharacterized as entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, MDD, ADHD and mood disorder. The case is REMANDED for further development.