PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms that approximate the criteria for a 50 percent rating, warranting an initial disability rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying the Veteran's car accident stressor. The Appellant's claim for recognition of K. K. S. as a dependent child is also being addressed.

For the period from July 13, 2007 to August 13, 2012, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability has been rated at 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment.,For the period from August 14, 2012 to October 4, 2015, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability has been rated at 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal involves a claim for increased ratings for anxiety disorder with PTSD and a TDIU. The Board has partially granted the benefits sought on appeal, leaving some issues unresolved.

The Veteran's PTSD has been attributed to his active duty service and the Board found that the criteria for service connection have been met, granting the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial disability rating for his service-connected left shoulder scar was denied. The Board found that the scar did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be considered under theories of new and material evidence or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with features of PTSD have been granted a disability rating of 50 percent, effective May 18, 2014. His bilateral hearing loss has also been granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic attacks and major depressive disorder was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood from May 27, 2010 to June 3, 2015. A rating of 70 percent disabling for this period has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling prior to January 7, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating was granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, residuals of an insect bite to the left groin (claimed as a knot on the leg), and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression and anxiety).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety, had its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as his July 2008 denial was final due to lack of appeal, and he did not receive notice of this decision.

The Veteran's death pension benefits were denied because the appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a surviving spouse with no dependents.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of PTSD should be March 14, 1997, but not earlier.

The Veteran's service connection claims for refractive error, coronary artery disease, lumbar spine disorder, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been denied. The claim for increased rating of PTSD has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status has been denied as he does not require regular aid and assistance from another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his PTSD with associated depression did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent.

The Veteran's post traumatic laceration scar of the frontal scalp is related to his military service and has been granted.