PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 24, 2006. The Board has also granted a TDIU for the period from February 18, 2012 to January 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, have been granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to IBS is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent from July 7, 2006 to October 6, 2008 and from December 1, 2008 to January 21, 2011; and at 50 percent since January 21, 2011. The appeal is denied as the current ratings are not higher than what was assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA PTSD examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 8, 2011. The claim for earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as no evidence supports an earlier effective date than June 24, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is rated at 50 percent, effective October 21, 2010. The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for the disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD effective June 29, 2010. The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressors and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a sleep disorder was not reopened, and his PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent. The right knee condition issue remains pending as it involves service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to lack of recent VA treatment records and an inadequate opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that they render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if a preexisting PTSD disorder clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, and whether it was permanently aggravated by service. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding a verified in-service stressor and to obtain an appropriate VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more detailed VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected PTSD and hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a disability evaluation of 70 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by complaints of poor short-term memory, anxiety, depression, occasional panic attacks, social isolation and withdrawal, anhedonia, insomnia, irritability, anger outbursts, and intermittent suicidal ideation. The evidence did not show that the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood during this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of a reported stressor and for further examination if the stressor is verified.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 31, 2012. The Board found that the Veteran met the criteria for a TDIU prior to July 31, 2012.