PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a staged rating of no more than 10 percent prior to May 24, 2007; no more than 50 percent from May 24, 2007 to December 17, 2010; and no more than 70 percent since December 17, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to warrant a 70 percent rating prior to February 25, 2011. The Board has also determined that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU prior to December 31, 2006 and SMC effective prior to February 25, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, neck disability, and bilateral elbow disability due to incomplete development. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to August 9, 2010, resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as he does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating based on his audiometric test results. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim for PTSD and will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication due to insufficient consideration of evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD, including homicidal ideation and profound functional impairment. Additional VA treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security records and treatment records from Dr. D.G.

The case is being remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's PTSD due to inconsistencies in GAF scores and need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus remain on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling effective May 7, 2010. The Board found that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating from February 27, 2007 through May 6, 2010 and beginning May 7, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent evaluation from April 2, 2004 to October 13, 2005, and a 50 percent evaluation beginning October 14, 2005. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support an increase in disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently evaluated as 70 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The Board finds that this evaluation adequately reflects the severity and symptoms of his disability.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the criteria provided in Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the claim was not received until October 8, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his current PTSD symptoms. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a determination of whether he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to January 12, 2010.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, and Dependent Personality Disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further development to determine if these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, back disability, gastrointestinal issues, Crohn's disease, hepatitis C, and bilateral foot disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The appeals for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the AOJ. The initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD was granted in August 2009, and it has been increased to 50 percent effective June 6, 2013.