PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have primarily included chronic sleep impairment with nightmares, depressed mood, anxiety, panic, isolation, hypervigilance, flashbacks, irritability and disturbances of motivation in mood. These symptoms reflect no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for PTSD, effective May 1, 1997, as there is reasonable doubt regarding the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. He will be provided with the option of rescheduling a hearing in accordance with his request.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was rated at 30 percent prior to August 15, 2012. The rating for the right hip disability has been granted but not increased beyond a 10 percent rating. The rating for the right great toe condition remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have incepted during service. The claim of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a new examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU is also being addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD merits a higher initial rating, with a 70 percent evaluation from October 14, 2008 through December 30, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a more contemporaneous examination of his PTSD and to adjudicate the claim for TDIU, as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The claims of entitlement to increased disability rating and TDIU remain pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% effective from May 26, 2011. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as the retroactive reduction of his disability compensation benefits due to a prior period of incarceration was proper.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment. The RO increased his rating from 30 percent to 70 percent as of June 28, 2013.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rate of educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill due to his service from December 15, 2008 to April 15, 2009. The Board has decided that this period should be considered as qualifying service for Chapter 33 benefits and is remanding the case to determine if it was ADSW (Active Duty for Special Work) or active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is shown to result in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his 100 percent disability rating for PTSD, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the April 24, 2009 decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor and whether his psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, were denied due to failure to report without good cause to scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and determining whether the Veteran has any other psychiatric disorders related to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 31, 2010, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to January 4, 2012. The criteria for a higher rating requiring more severe impairment in most areas were not met.