PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 3, 2009. The Board found that his symptoms warranted this rating and granted the claim for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of heat exposure (headaches) are granted. The earlier effective date for PTSD with depression is granted, and the TDIU rating is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The new evidence submitted did not show a current diagnosis of PTSD or establish a possible nexus between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, and PTSD, clearly and unmistakably preexisted his period of active duty service and were not aggravated by such service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for PTSD and TDIU prior to December 5, 2011 have been withdrawn.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, which is considered a full grant of the benefits sought on appeal regarding PTSD. The other issues were not addressed as they are no longer in dispute due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 16, 2009. The VA determined that the impairment from his PTSD more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but less than total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, depressive disorder, and insomnia/sleep disorder) is granted. The effective date is set at July 8, 2015.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, were not diagnosed within one year of separation from service and there is no medical evidence establishing a nexus between the current psychiatric disability and active service. The Board finds that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disability subject to compensation. The evidence on record indicates the Veteran has been diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence symptoms have been rated at 50 percent disabling, but the Board has determined that a higher 70 percent rating is warranted based on his occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since June 18, 2012 and granted a TDIU from May 30, 2006 to September 30, 2012. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms including anger outbursts, inappropriate behavior, irritability, nightmares, flashbacks, exaggerated startle response, loss of interest, social isolationism, and difficulty establishing or maintaining relationships.

The Board has determined that the criteria for an effective date of March 27, 2009 have been met due to the Veteran's informal claim and the presence of PTSD symptoms prior to this date. The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD with a 50% rating as of July 14, 2010.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for PTSD and has also determined that he is entitled to service connection for PTSD based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 22, 2015. The Board granted a 50 percent rating from October 29, 2013 to July 21, 2015, finding that his symptoms more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as anxiety disorder and PTSD, has been found to be severe enough to warrant a 70% disability rating.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need to obtain outstanding Vet Center records and provide the Veteran with a Supplemental Statement of the Case.