PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and assigned a 50 percent disability rating from December 19, 2002 to July 5, 2004.

The Veteran's post-traumatic headaches as residuals of TBI are rated at 30 percent, effective from April 12, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent effective December 5, 2013. The previous rating of 50 percent for the same condition remains in effect prior to that date.

The Board found that the appellant's current psychiatric disorders did not start during his military service and are not related to any in-service events. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, during the pendency of the appeal. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, dizziness and vertigo, a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 20, 2011, and entitlement to TDIU. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's tension-type headaches are rated at 10 percent, effective August 1, 2009.,Service connection for a deviated nasal septum is established.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD and for an increased initial rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to conflicting opinions on whether a valid diagnosis of PTSD can be established and if the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to service or service-related stressors.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and a higher rating for PTSD were denied. The claim for increased rating of pulmonary emboli was also denied.

The Board has determined that the earliest date of a formal claim for service connection was March 8, 2011. Therefore, an effective date of January 5, 2009 is granted as the date of claim.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds as such, his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and any relevant ongoing medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to address the Veteran's psychiatric conditions. The issues of service connection for bipolar disorder, alcoholism, PTSD, and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are inextricably intertwined with accrued benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 16, 2013. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent disability rating for the periods from June 3, 1986 to June 19, 1989 and from November 27, 1990 to October 25, 1993.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a rating of 70 percent since December 5, 2013. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification from the VA examiner regarding his opinions on PTSD and a psychosis within one year following separation from service. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this additional information.