PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's accrued benefits were determined to be $34,943.00 due to his death in November 2003 and the appellant was paid this amount.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating effective July 15, 2009.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and severe joint pain have been withdrawn. The appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and TDIU prior to February 10, 2016 is being deferred until further development on the PTSD issue.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. New evidence submitted since the last final denial includes statements from the Veteran and witnesses describing in-service events and symptoms, as well as VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ so that he can be afforded further examination to accurately determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, clarify his employment and education history, and schedule an additional VA examination. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of in-service events or conditions that could be linked to his current disabilities. His hearing loss is not compensable, and he does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, degenerative joint disease, radiculopathy, or peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination. The claims include an initial rating claim for PTSD, a non-compensable rating claim for prostate cancer, and a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing due to the appellant's request, and will return it after the hearing is conducted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent rating, effective from May 30, 2014. The left shoulder disability appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran. The compensable rating for IBS remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities are granted with an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to June 18, 2012, and in excess of 50 percent since then. The claims for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and uterine fibroids have been reopened but not decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and an opinion from a vocational rehabilitation specialist. The case will be reconsidered to determine if the Veteran qualifies for TDIU prior to April 29, 2011, and whether special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an updated medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, neck disorder, and back disorder. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service, thus resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted for cervical spine degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease, and headaches. However, there is no evidence linking a bilateral leg disorder to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA medical records and incomplete research of German Army hospital records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, and depression NOS, resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The VA examiner found the Veteran had a GAF score of 50, which corresponds to the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100 percent effective November 5, 2013, and SMC was granted effective the same date.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 30 percent since February 20, 2007. The Board has found that the Veteran's occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas (such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood) warrants a higher rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's death was caused by alcoholic liver cirrhosis, which is believed to be related to his alcoholism. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding the service connection of PTSD and alcoholism.