PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various mental health conditions, including PTSD, tinnitus, a sleep disorder, alcohol abuse, and depression. The Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (excluding adjustment disorder, personality disorder, and disabilities manifested by nervousness and/or memory loss).

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum available rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including adjudication of the claims for service connection as a substitute claimant.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the TDIU claim can be adjudicated. The July 2012 VA examination was inadequate as it did not address all service-connected conditions, including PTSD and hearing loss. A new social and industrial survey must be conducted to assess the Veteran's employability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, heart disability, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and skin disability are found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that a de novo service connection analysis is proper for the psychiatric disorder issue on appeal. The Veteran now claims his psychiatric disability is the result of a personal assault in service, and VA will remand to obtain more information about this claim.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective from November 15, 2013. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date of November 15, 2012 were met.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new and material evidence being associated with the case file. The Veteran's service connection, rating, and TDIU claims are pending.

The Veteran is seeking to continue her vocational rehabilitation benefits, but the VA has discontinued them. The Board will review the case and determine if there are any new or material evidence that could support reopening of her claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his treatment records and providing an addendum medical opinion regarding the impact of PTSD on his employability.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include delusional disorder and schizophrenia, and for ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to August 5, 2011, and in excess of 50 percent from that date (now, up to August 10, 2013), for PTSD have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD related to military service and his non-PTSD psychiatric disorders are not linked to his service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, and ADD/ADHD. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed again with additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including consideration of additional evidence submitted after certification to the Board. The issue of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is inextricably intertwined with the claim for an increased disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 2008, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected psychiatric disorder other than his diagnosed personality disorder. The claim for PTSD is denied as it is not related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been consistently manifested by symptoms resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The appeal is remanded to further develop evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 70 percent since December 29, 2004 to September 15, 2009. The Board granted this rating based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.