PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) directives regarding scheduling a VA examination and notification. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating. The criteria for entitlement to TDIU have also been met beginning March 26, 2009.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, leading to alcoholic cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but overall function was satisfactory. Bilateral hearing loss and a skin disability were not shown or related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent disabling, effective October 4, 2000. The appeal for an earlier effective date is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The disability resulted in reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has not been manifested by total occupational and social impairment, thus the claim for a higher initial rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted. His acquired psychiatric disability, PTSD, is currently rated at 50%.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have fluctuated over time, with periods of decreased work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to July 9, 2012. Since then, the Veteran has experienced deficiencies in most areas due to his PTSD, but not total social or occupational impairment.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disability, and prostate cancer, as well as TDIU. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to missing treatment records and VA medical records. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, was not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with VA examinations and obtain additional medical opinions regarding his HIV, renal disability, neuropathy, psychiatric disabilities, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim is granted as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service sexual trauma.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD, obtaining relevant medical records, translating documents from Spanish, and developing the claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining evidence from potential witnesses and private mental health treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, PTSD, and anxiety disorder. The private etiological opinion supports a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.