PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

From June 18, 2008 through September 4, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent.,From September 5, 2012 through February 26, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was rated in excess of 50 percent.,Since July 1, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since November 12, 2008.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence to support it. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination to determine if he currently suffers from PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder, and whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service.,There is no evidence of cardiovascular disability in service or otherwise linked to service. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of cardiovascular disability.,The Veteran does not have cold injury residuals to the upper extremities, lower extremities, or psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety disorder).,The Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disability did not originate in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Veteran does not have PTSD.,There is no evidence of stomach disorder in service or a current diagnosis of stomach disorder. The Veteran's IBS is not secondary to service-connected ankylostomiasis.,The Veteran's ankylostomiasis has been inactive and thus not resulting in any current manifestations of symptoms or impairment during the period of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for his PTSD. The goal is to determine if the current disability rating of 50 percent should be increased.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed due to the lack of medical nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions and their relationship to his service. The case will be remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 50 percent since February 1, 2011. An earlier effective date of January 31, 2011 was also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's diagnoses include personality disorder NOS, chronic PTSD, adjustment disorder with mixed features, rule out PTSD, and chronic PTSD with depression and anxiety symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification on the nature and etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric conditions, specifically PTSD and Depression NOS. The VA examiner will need to determine if these diagnoses are related to service or not.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety and depression have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The reduction in disability rating for lumbar spine disability from 20% to 10% effective September 1, 2014 is found to be improper.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, and he is currently receiving a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and psychotic features is related to an in-service personal assault, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a maximum of 70 percent since August 6, 2012.,The Veteran meets the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to February 12, 2014 was granted. The decision is based on the direct service connection of his conditions without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's post traumatic headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to June 23, 2015 and 30 percent thereafter. The rating is based on the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 8100 (migraines) due to characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once a month.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right eye condition due to lack of new and material evidence.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.