PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment and counseling records, affording the Veteran a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected psychiatric disability, and readjudicating the issue on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder prior to February 25, 2015 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was initially denied in 2005, but the Board has determined that an effective date of April 13, 2004 should be granted based on newly discovered information confirming a reported stressor.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of evidence regarding his heart condition and leg swelling.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and a back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 100 percent disabling, effective December 2, 2003. The claim for a TDIU is moot as the Veteran has been awarded SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) since September 24, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence linking any diagnosed condition to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms no greater than productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. Therefore, a 50 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further action, including considering which symptoms are attributable to PTSD and which are attributable to a diagnosed cognitive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to cause occupational and social impairment, but not total impairment. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss resulted in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Board found that there is insufficient medical evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with the DSM, and thus service connection for PTSD was denied. The Veteran's anxiety disorder was also not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling from September 23, 2011 through September 1, 2015. The appeal for a higher initial rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling from January 8, 2011. The claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability has been reopened and the evidence received since the August 1996 rating decision relates to the basis for the prior denial.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD or any other diagnosed psychiatric disorders. The AOJ will also attempt to confirm any identified stressors.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD due to new evidence showing these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was denied as the earliest possible effective date is August 24, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA mental health treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to assess whether any current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher initial disability rating for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.