PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Board found that the character of the appellant's discharge from his second period of service was dishonorable, and therefore denied service connection for PTSD and a left shoulder disorder incurred during this period.

The Veteran participated in an inpatient treatment program for PTSD at a VA medical center from October 25, 2011 to November 21, 2011 and December 31, 2012 to March 15, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran's hospitalization in excess of 21 days was for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran is found unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD, which has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with recurrent major depression resulted in occupational and social impairment, leading to a 70 percent rating prior to August 15, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 26, 2011, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to non-compliance with prior remand instructions, specifically regarding a VA psychiatric examination and review of relevant records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service stressor and thus no basis to establish a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to September 7, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating during this period. For Dependents' Educational Assistance, the effective date of September 7, 2011, is denied as there is no earlier eligible date established.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to August 20, 2007, with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent since October 21, 2010. The claim for TDIU has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 25, 2011. The rating is effective as of that date.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused total occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 100 percent prior to May 1, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet criteria for TDIU due to his other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, is denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred during active duty service.

The Veteran's daughter is granted eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits starting from December 2, 1997 due to the effective date of her permanent and total disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a vocational assessment and adjudicating the right knee sprain claim. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current urinary disorder is not service-connected, but his acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is found to be related to service. His arthritis claim remains unresolved.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder that can be linked to service. His liver disability is also not considered secondary to his KHF as there is no evidence of such.