PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA records of his PTSD treatment and personnel records confirming his service dates.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for increased ratings for PTSD, left lower extremity radiculopathy (prior to April 18, 2013), and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues are not related to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tension headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), have been denied due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders, as well as peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, and alcohol abuse is currently rated at 50 percent since December 2, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as his appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar and cervical spines.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were denied. The claim for TDIU was also denied as the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA psychologist or psychiatrist to address whether any psychiatric disability present since March 2005 is related to service.

The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records for the Veteran. The appeal is remanded to allow for this development and subsequent re-adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, shrapnel wound scars, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU on both schedular and extraschedular bases.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, providing a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 2, 2015.,Prior to that date, the Veteran was granted a rating of 70 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as there were no valid notices of disagreement filed regarding the issues resulting in compensation benefits. The attorney fees from past-due benefits are therefore not warranted.

The Board has determined that it does not have jurisdiction over the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU due to pending appeals before the Court. The claim for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as there are no new or material issues of service connection.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for issuance of a Statement of the Case addressing his claim for an effective date earlier than September 13, 2007 for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, resulting in total occupational and social impairment.