PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, was etiologically related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been consistently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating from May 14, 2009 to July 29, 2014.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish the Veteran's in-service stressors, which are necessary for service connection. As a result, the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational impairment from December 8, 2004 to December 10, 2006, warranting a 70% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted, with the effective date set at September 22, 2010. The Board found that no prior pending claim or adjudication existed to support retroactive adjustment of the effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and affording the Veteran an opportunity to submit evidence. The claim will be adjudicated in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and hypertension are both granted service connection. The issue of hypertension is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is granted, effective from May 13, 2011. The claim for service connection for PTSD is also granted and the effective date assigned is September 3, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and medical opinions regarding his claims for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, alcohol abuse, and personality disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and any related to an assault involving Specialist 4 Morgan. The Veteran is entitled to new and material evidence in order to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 2008, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board granted an effective date of May 4, 2007 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was reopened based on a VA treatment record dated May 4, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since December 22, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms prior to November 18, 2015 did not warrant a higher rating than 30 percent. As of November 18, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 3, 2010. The claims for service connection for glaucoma and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to March 7, 2011, and a rating in excess of 70 percent thereafter have been withdrawn.

The Board found insufficient credible supporting evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor of military sexual trauma and concluded that her current psychiatric disorders are not causally or etiologically related to active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to March 7, 2012. The Board found that the criteria for a 70 percent rating were met and granted an increased initial rating.