PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's death was caused by AIDS, which he contracted due to intravenous drug use. The Board is remanded for a VA medical opinion on whether the service-connected PTSD contributed to or caused his intravenous drug use.

The Board found that the Veteran's appeal of the August 2013 rating decision was not timely received, and thus denied the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be attributable to his service in Vietnam, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an effective date earlier than September 28, 1998 for service connection for low back strain with sciatica and PTSD. The decision was based on a lack of evidence showing that the Veteran filed a formal or informal claim prior to September 1998.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his anxiety disorder does not cause more than intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board found that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, and right knee disability is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to December 13, 2016, and increased to 70% thereafter. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since February 19, 2014. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and occupational impairment.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he has been gainfully employed throughout the appeal period and continues to maintain employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a sleep disorder secondary to PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression has been rated at 100 percent since June 22, 2004. The Board found that the Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that it was not related to his service and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, PAD, RLS, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was dismissed as a matter of law due to the finality of the November 2011 Board decision. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for dysthymia is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied claims for a chronic disability manifested by chest pains and a headache disorder. Service connection was also denied for a back disability as the Veteran's current condition is not shown to be directly related to his military service.

The Board found that there was no verified in-service stressor sufficient to cause current PTSD and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent effective October 27, 2015. He was previously rated at 30 percent prior to this date.