PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, chronic sleep impairment, flattened affect, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating of 70 percent due to his ability to maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, TDIU claim, and temporary total rating.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been rated at 30 percent since July 1, 2009. The rating reflects the current level of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 30 percent since May 11, 2006 and will remain at this level until March 7, 2010. After that date, the rating is increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of nightmares, a startle response, and hypervigilance. His GAF scores were between 45 and 48 throughout the period on appeal. The VA examiner found that his PTSD contributed to some of his symptoms but did not cause significant impairment in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the last final denial was new and material, which would have allowed for reopening of the claim. The Veteran's PTSD diagnosis is now considered service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and MDD, are related to his reported in-service stressors. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been manifested by complaints of anxiety, recurrent nightmares, chronic sleep impairment, and occasional decrease in work efficiency. The evidence does not support a higher initial evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and for TDIU prior to November 19, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD, finding that the evidence submitted was not new and material.

The Veteran's PTSD disability has been granted and assigned a noncompensable evaluation prior to October 5, 2012, and subsequently a 30 percent evaluation thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication of the claims, including a videoconference hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that no document between the final denial in October 1997 and the December 2004 claim could be construed as a new claim. The effective date is set at the date of receipt of the application to reopen.

Service connection for CAD and PTSD was granted with effective dates of April 17, 2009. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are service-connected. The claim for hypertension is pending as secondary to PTSD. The TDIU request is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination to clarify whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining Vet Center records and any relevant VA or private treatment records. The TDIU claim has also been identified as needing further action.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss, which are related to his military service.