PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected psychiatric disability prior to May 2, 2016 was denied. The evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that steatohepatitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a gastrointestinal disorder are not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, major depression, and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to August 14, 2014 and increased to 50 percent effective from that date. The Board is granting a partial benefit for the period prior to August 14, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board after further review.

The Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic migraine headaches are not shown to be productive of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one episode in 2 months over the last several months, thus failing to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The Veteran's PTSD with sleep disorder is manifested by symptoms that include sleep impairment, irritability, and anxiety; however, they do not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas as required for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 9, 2007. The rating was increased to 70 percent effective December 9, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Veteran's death was not due to a condition that pre-existed service or was incurred in or aggravated by service prior to August 13, 2002. The claim for REPS benefits is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of March 9, 2007. TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a dog bite and head injury, as well as his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for disability caused by hypertension medication prescribed at a VA facility.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations, service connection, and compensation were denied. The claim of new and material evidence to reopen the malaria claim was also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder NOS. The Veteran's new VA treatment records have been added to the record, and a request for verification of his claimed in-service stressor has been made. A VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of any bilateral leg disability other than peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that his current psychiatric disabilities are causally related to his military service. The decision resolves all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

An earlier effective date of July 1, 1995 is granted for service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD.,The Veteran's freestanding claim seeking an effective date prior to March 15, 2007 for fibromyalgia must be dismissed as a matter of law.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the reopening of a claim for service connection for PTSD. As a result, the Board has dismissed this matter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and dysthymic disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric conditions.