PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for new evidence. The case will be returned to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) after all necessary actions are taken.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated as 70 percent disabling from August 6, 2003 to January 30, 2006, and he is currently unemployable due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to June 28, 2007 and increased to 50 percent as of September 1, 2007. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 14, 2014, based on symptoms of significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of bipolar disorder or PTSD, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea but granted entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in severe impairment of his ability to establish or maintain effective relationships with people, warranting a 70% disability rating from February 10, 1993 to January 1, 1999.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to June 3, 2013 and increased to 50 percent effective June 3, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD has been shown to result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood but without total social and occupational impairment for any portion of the appeal period. The Veteran meets the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since June 23, 2011. The appeal is granted as the Veteran's PTSD symptoms continue to cause significant distress and impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 1, 2008. The rating is granted and effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection (August 2007).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in May 2007, but new and material evidence was received within one year of the denial. The effective date for the grant of service connection is August 31, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to August 22, 2013. From August 22, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD has caused deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his initial ratings for other conditions, were granted. The rating for status post resection of the small intestine and colon was increased to 20 percent effective from September 20, 2012.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 80 percent, and the evidence indicates that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further development to determine if he requires aid and attendance or is housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and rhinitis are considered to have contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU prior to October 21, 2009 are met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, low back disability, and chloracne have been denied. The rating of 30 percent has been assigned for anxiety and depressive disorders with alcohol dependence prior to September 19, 2013.