PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at March 19, 2004, which is the day after his separation from service.

The Board has broadened the claim to include an acquired psychiatric disorder and has ordered a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are related to his military service. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from May 20, 2009 to October 15, 2014. The Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted for the entire period under review.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal as to the issues of service connection for refractive error and for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to January 9, 2013, and in excess of 50 percent from the date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, diagnosed as DJD, was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The VA examiner found no nexus between the current right shoulder condition and the service-connected gunshot wound to the neck. The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD features is currently rated at 30%.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of stressors and a comprehensive VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI were found to be service-connected, with the PTSD meeting the diagnostic criteria for a direct service connection based on in-service combat-related stressors.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is at least 70 percent, and his PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 20, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms have not resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) related to service. The Veteran's current hearing loss is not currently addressed as it was not fully evaluated in the remand.

The Board found that the evidence does not establish an in-service event, injury, or disease relating her current acquired psychiatric disorder, peptic ulcer disease, peri-rectal ulcerations, degenerative arthritis, low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss to either of her periods of ACDUTRA. As such, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder is dismissed as moot. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse, but not higher.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depression, are found to be related to her service. Service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral flat feet, service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, and service connection for PTSD. The evidence was not sufficient to warrant higher ratings under applicable criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling since January 26, 2012. The Board has granted the TDIU claim effective from May 21, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to be productive of occupational and social impairment with an occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to November 28, 2011. On and after November 28, 2011, the disability is manifested by total occupational and social impairment.