PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been found to result in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation of his PTSD and Meniere's disease with vertigo, as the most recent VA examinations are from June 2010 and July 2010 respectively. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings remain pending.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim of a bilateral foot disability was reopened, but the service connection claim remains denied.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. His PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411 for occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a separate initial compensable disability rating for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and MDD, is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU. Specifically, outstanding records from SSA and VA treatment records are needed, as well as a Social and Industrial Survey.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, among other psychiatric disorders, and the Board finds that his in-service sexual assault likely contributed to his current condition. The Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating. The VA examinations noted occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as sleep problems, avoidance issues, irritability, impaired abstract thinking, concentration difficulties, and relationship disturbances. However, the VA examiners did not find total occupational and social impairment warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling prior to January 23, 2014 and 70 percent thereafter. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further examination and development of records, including mental health treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported in-service stressor was credible and associated with fear of hostile military activity, allowing for a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran meets the criteria for service connection due to new evidence supporting his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric and audiological examination.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a VA examination. The Veteran's initial rating for anxiety disorder with PTSD symptoms remains unchanged.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran currently has an acquired psychiatric condition, PTSD, or memory loss disability. The claims were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to service and if substance abuse masked or was unrelated to the onset of psychiatric symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA examination. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent.