PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating beyond 50 percent due to his symptoms being within the range of moderate impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms from December 15, 2004 to January 14, 2011 more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her psychiatric disorders and low back disorder.

The Veteran's unemployability due to service-connected disabilities did not occur prior to October 1, 2004. The Board found that the evidence does not show he was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment before this date.

The Board found that the Veteran's character of discharge was a bar to VA benefits due to his prolonged absence without leave (AWOL) during his third period of service, and there were no compelling circumstances or insanity defense to overturn this bar.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining mental health treatment records from Dr. R. and other providers, as well as readjudicating the issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's urinary incontinence is related to her active military service and grants service connection for this condition. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bowel incontinence disability was granted, with the effective date being determined by the AOJ. The Veteran is now rated at 60 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and service connection. The right thigh gunshot wound residuals were rated at 10 percent, but the Veteran requested a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and substance abuse is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 11, 2010, for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The evidence did not show that a formal claim was filed prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and hypertension due to issues with effective dates and need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been found to be service-connected. The initial rating for PTSD has been granted at the maximum available rate of 100 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service-connected PTSD was denied as there is no valid 'freestanding claim' for an earlier effective date. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide sufficient specificity to identify a prior final rating decision or motion to revise based on CUE.

The Board dismissed the appeal concerning erectile dysfunction and dental disorder claims due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,The claim for an earlier effective date for IBS was dismissed as it did not meet the criteria for reopening a previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for PTSD, TDIU, and DEA benefits was granted. The effective date is set at December 20, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active service. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood (claimed as anxiety, depression, and anger issues), and polysubstance abuse are remanded.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, for accrued benefits purposes and entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depression, for accrued benefits purposes. As such, these matters are dismissed.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 17, 2008 for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's major depression with PTSD and chest rash rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 17, 2008 through April 16, 2009.