PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to January 25, 2013, and 70 percent thereafter for PTSD has been granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and memory loss. The underlying issues as well as other issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran has any other diagnosed psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, sleep apnea, hypertension, allergic rhinitis, and skin disability. The Veteran's testimony indicates that his current symptoms may be related to his active duty service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran withdrew his service connection claim for PTSD and increased rating claim for MDD before the Board could make a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's character of discharge is not a bar to eligibility for VA benefits due to evidence showing he was insane at the time of his conduct in April 1970.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on his ability to work.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, pulmonary tuberculosis with COPD, and PTSD. However, it denied these claims as new evidence did not provide a link between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, including combat experiences in imminent danger areas.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have materially contributed to his death, and the appellant has paid $1445 in burial expenses. The Board finds that DIC benefits for the cause of the Veteran's death are granted, and burial benefits at the service connected rate are also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression is related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible disability rating of 100 percent for the entire period on appeal, and he is no longer entitled to a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence due to PTSD.

The Board found that new evidence received since the February 2003 rating decision raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and psychosis. However, due to lack of supporting evidence regarding the claimed in-service stressors, the Veteran's claims were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD and dysthymic disorder was denied as no relevant, outstanding service department records were associated with the claims file after the previous final disallowance.,Service connection for tinnitus was not granted as there is no evidence that the condition is related to active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not manifest in service and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's PTSD and its impact on his employability. The appeal is now pending again with the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating from September 22, 2017 forward.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is a result of drug abuse during service, specifically his involvement in an assault involving illegal substances. As such, direct service connection cannot be established.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.