PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of private treatment records. The issue of TDIU is also being considered as part of the pending appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after the completion of these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to May 28, 2012.

The Veteran's depression is caused by his service-connected right ankle and bilateral foot disabilities, thus service connection for depression has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neuropsychiatric condition, including PTSD and other psychiatric conditions, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder and history of substance dependence is denied as there was no formal or informal claim filed prior to March 10, 2004.

The Veteran is granted service connection for PTSD, cervical spine condition, and lumbar spine condition secondary to his service-connected residuals of a right ankle fracture. His CAD remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms worsened in March 2005, leading to his retirement. The Board granted an effective date of March 11, 2005 for the 70 percent rating for PTSD.,The Veteran also met the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as of March 11, 2005, and the effective date was set to April 1, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder and concluded that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II, are sufficient to produce unemployability without regard to advancing age.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, and his claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied.,For the issue of service connection for tinnitus, the Board found sufficient basis from the Veteran's competent lay testimony to establish that he has a current disability (tinnitus) that is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA disability determination(s) and associated medical records, providing a VA examination of the feet and skin to evaluate the nature and current severity of his service-connected bilateral foot callosities, and readjudicating the claims based on the updated evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, hepatitis C, and major depressive disorder. The claim for PTSD was reopened but still denied due to lack of a verified in-service stressor. The claim for hepatitis C was not reopened as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. Major depressive disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence has been manifested by symptoms approximating occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, although generally functioning satisfactorily. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The appeal for an initial rating higher than 50 percent is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 10, 2004 and is now rated at 70 percent effective September 17, 2012. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a mood disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are causally related to his active military service. The diagnosis of PTSD is based on verified combat stressors during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since May 5, 2010. The rating is based on the criteria for a higher evaluation due to increased symptoms and impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.