PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's employment with the United States Postal Service ended on November 18, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that he was not precluded from substantially gainful employment prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim of eligibility for an annual clothing allowance is denied as he does not use any prosthetic, orthopedic appliance, or medication for a service-connected disability that wears out or tears his clothing.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 25, 2003 and prior to March 20, 2012. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case to determine the disability rating for the Veteran's PTSD with depression between June 1961 and March 29, 2001.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a higher initial evaluation, but the right leg length discrepancy and hip injury have not.,PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment in social functioning.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, residuals of a TBI (memory loss), and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's left buttock injury and refractive errors are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and an internal medicine specialist opinion regarding whether his combined disability picture prevents him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective December 10, 2007. The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD as of the same date.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD due to lack of recent medical records and the Veteran's testimony indicating his condition may have worsened since the last examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The issue of a higher initial rating for CAD is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to his failure to attend a previously scheduled videoconference hearing in San Antonio, Texas. The hearing will now be rescheduled at the Atlanta, Georgia, RO.

The Board is remanding the claims for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his PTSD service connection and a higher initial rating for PTSD. The Board will remand the case to allow for further development of evidence, including SSA earnings records and employment details.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess her ability to work given her service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted. The claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was previously denied but not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of entitlement to an acquired psychiatric disorder on the merits. The Veteran is requested to provide any outstanding, pertinent private medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in work, family relations, and mood. The Board finds that the evidence warrants a finding that his initial rating is better approximated by the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating since the date of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with secondary depression, effective May 25, 2012. The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and a personality disorder not otherwise specified have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a comprehensive VA examination and consideration of the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.