PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's statements and medical records support a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service in Vietnam.

The Board found no in-service stressor corroborated by evidence, and the Veteran's personality disorder was not subject to superimposed disease or injury during service. The acquired psychiatric disorders were not causally related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have its onset in service and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer and an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold percentage requirement to establish eligibility for TDIU, but his unemployability due to PTSD and peripheral neuropathy is being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Lymphocytic Leukemia, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of the Veteran's in-service stressors or exposure to Agent Orange. The appellant did not provide sufficient information for stressor verification.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, which became 100% disabling on November 7, 2011, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to that date. However, his other service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined effect.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hepatitis C was withdrawn during his April 2015 Board hearing. The case is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records and assist the Veteran in obtaining private treatment records, and to schedule a VA psychiatric examination.

The appeal is being remanded due to the appellant's request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be processed in accordance with established appellate practices.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a hearing notice error. The Board will schedule the Veteran for a video-conference hearing at his current address in Jasper, Florida.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling prior to October 19, 2012 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. The claim for TDIU prior to October 19, 2012 remains pending as part of his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 25, 2015, based on significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to January 20, 2014.,As of January 21, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and assigned a 70% rating effective from February 12, 2015. The appeal is for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability evaluation for PTSD was denied, and the effective date of service connection for PTSD was set at September 26, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, including verification of in-service stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorders. The right knee disability claim was also denied. Service connection is not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted a rating of 30 percent for right total knee replacement, effective from April 2003 to June 1, 2004. The Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.