PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since October 10, 2009. The rating is for occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of this level.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his service in Vietnam, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's diagnosed back disability and irritable bowel syndrome are incurred in service, with a finding of equipoise on whether they had their onset during service or are otherwise etiologically related to his active service. The issues regarding PTSD rating and service connection for back disability and IBS have been addressed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. After considering all evidence, including a diagnosis of PTSD based on military sexual trauma during service, the Veteran's claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is etiologically related to his military service, and thus, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residuals from a TBI and denied service connection for TBI residuals. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for tinnitus, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, GERD, right knee and left leg disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues of increased disability evaluation for gastrointestinal colon spasms as secondary to service-connected prostate cancer and initial disability evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD have been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be processed in accordance with established appellate practices.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 70 percent since April 21, 2010. The effective date for the increased rating is set to that day.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional information and examination regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The preponderance of evidence shows that his symptoms are associated with his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of the Veteran's PTSD treatment and conducting a VA examination. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the date of claim, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss were evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence of exceptional disability that would warrant an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and PTSD were not found to warrant an initial rating in excess of 30 percent, and service connection for the cause of his death was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, with PTSD symptoms. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating from February 9, 2004 was remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective August 14, 2008. The rating reflects moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for all issues, and the appeal is dismissed.