PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's service-connection claim for PTSD, and finds that the Veteran's in-service sexual assault stressor is corroborated. Therefore, the claim of service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD claim was reopened based on new evidence but still denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptomatology more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a disability rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling from December 20, 2002 to July 6, 2004 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board has granted a 70% rating for the period prior to July 6, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 2, 2012, due to significant occupational and social impairment.,His right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent since May 21, 2013, for marked limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, GERD, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for myelogenous leukemia was denied, while his PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent. The appeal is mixed as it involves both direct service connection and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented her from securing or following gainful employment at any point during the appeal period, including prior to or after November 9, 2007.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 2, 1978 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was reopened based on new and material evidence provided in December 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the functional impact of the Veteran's PTSD on his ability to engage in substantially gainful work. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not due to a disability, disease or injury incurred or aggravated by service. The service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions, including PTSD. The AOJ will obtain relevant records and provide a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 16, 2010. The symptoms include suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, and difficulty in establishing effective relationships.

The Board found no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and denied both PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The Veteran's depression was diagnosed based on his reported history, but without a verified stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his claim. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU due to his combined disability rating of 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS.