PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, were not related to service. The alleged sexual and physical assaults during recruit training were deemed not credible, and there was no evidence of a nexus between any current psychiatric disability and service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an updated opinion regarding the Veteran's major depressive disorder.

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 August 21, 2008.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the ratings for PTSD with recurrent major depressive disorder in excess of 50 percent prior to October 31, 2011, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of a stressor and scheduling of a VA examination if the stressor is confirmed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as persistent hallucinations, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, mood swings, and chronic sleep impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and attempting to corroborate his in-service stressors. He also needs a VA examination for his eye disability and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his own willful misconduct, and at the time of his death he had service-connected disabilities that were continuously rated totally disabling for less than 10 years prior to his death. Therefore, the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are not met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, and agoraphobia, is being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to report for a VA examination scheduled in November 2014. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, mood disorder NOS, and adjustment disorder with anxiety, has been rated at 10 percent prior to September 9, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and ensuring that all pertinent medical records are associated with the claims file.

The Board has granted service connection for DM and PTSD, as well as for low back disability. The Veteran's other claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including referral to the VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is pending and will be addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current anxiety disorder is service-connected, as his in-service experiences and memories contribute to his condition. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his military service, specifically an in-service artillery attack on a populated shore line in the Philippines. Service connection is granted for these psychiatric disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not shown to be related to service. The claim for alcohol dependence was denied as it is considered a result of willful misconduct.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a contemporaneous VA mental disorders examination.