PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling since August 24, 2007. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met and denied his claim for an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. His claims of increased PTSD rating, service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to PTSD are still pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% since September 30, 2008 and increased to 70% effective June 18, 2010. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating effective January 14, 2010.,The left ankle disability claim has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development to ensure they are afforded every due consideration, including obtaining a new VA examination and opinion regarding PTSD and tinea pedis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, due to potential issues with obtaining relevant medical records and ensuring proper notice is provided.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective January 12, 2007. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings for hypertension and left ear hearing loss, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of PTSD, thus the Board has no further jurisdiction to consider this matter.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 28, 2011. The VA determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for a higher rating of 70 percent from this date onwards due to his difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances and inability to establish effective relationships.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was granted. The other conditions were not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a bilateral hearing disability, PTSD, right gluteal muscle injury due to shrapnel, and tinnitus, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his TDIU claim are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The RO must provide a supplemental statement of the case with consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to January 28, 2014, and 70 percent thereafter. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD has been set as September 7, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating prior to April 1, 2014. The criteria for higher ratings were not met during the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including a review of his in-service personal assault and other sources of evidence.

The Board has determined that additional substantive development is needed, including scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD. The appeal will be remanded to the AOJ for further review and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. E.H., and the case will be returned to the Board for further adjudication.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 5, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted, but the initial rating assigned is 50 percent. The other issues are pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.