PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD prior to October 5, 2011 did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as his symptoms were consistent with occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, and mood due to symptoms like severe depression affecting ability to function independently. The VA examiner assigned a GAF score of 65, indicating mild symptoms but overall good functioning.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and PTSD. The Veteran's testimony at his hearing suggests that he may have had a pre-existing psychiatric condition prior to entering service which could have been aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 31, 2012 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board found that there was no legal authority to assign an earlier effective date as the RO has already assigned the earliest possible effective date.

The Board denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma (cancer) of the tongue with metastasis to the neck, a left shoulder disability as secondary to cancer of the tongue and neck, loss of sense of taste as secondary to cancer of the tongue and neck, numbness to left side of face, neck, and chest as secondary to cancer of the tongue and neck, and PTSD as secondary to cancer of the tongue and neck.

The Veteran's overpayment of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits is waived due to the circumstances surrounding his withdrawal from the educational program and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, which is required for service connection. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and service personnel records. The claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD (and associated major depression) is granted as his symptoms are related to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a service-connected psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and thus denied his claim for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 23, 2009. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's VA compensation based on an award of a temporary total disability rating for PTSD is considered countable income for non-service-connected disability pension purposes.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be due to an in-service stressor and service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to schedule a videoconference hearing for the Veteran. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for scheduling of the hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent effective December 9, 2015, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his abnormal mitral valve with congested heart failure and multiple knee injuries, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 26, 2013. Since then, he has been in receipt of special monthly compensation (SMC) due to aid and attendance/housebound.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that his current disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board hearing by live videoconference. The issues include service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.