PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and depression, has caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds that a disability rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a rating in excess of this for the period from May 4, 2014 to present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to incomplete personnel records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 5, 2008. The Board affirms this rating and grants a higher disability rating of 70 percent effective from the date of the remand.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent, effective May 23, 2012.,PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The symptoms have included depression, anxiety, nightmares, panic attacks that occur weekly or less often, chronic sleep impairment, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance of another person, nor does he require assistance in attending to the ordinary hazards of daily living. The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to grant special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including Schizoaffective Disorder and Schizophrenia, was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected thoracolumbar strain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to conflicting information regarding his address and the need for a rescheduled hearing. The issues of reopening service connection for TBI, as well as increased ratings for shell fragment wounds of the right calf and left ankle are also on hold until further notice.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability during his period of service. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus was also denied in January 2002 and has not been reopened.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD and considering his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective September 14, 2009. The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the period from April 29, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and panic attacks, is related to his service. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination regarding his PTSD and its impact on employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination and obtaining relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a VA examination and to obtain outstanding medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a right ankle disability, and a right foot disability. The decision also addressed an increased rating claim for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right thigh but that issue is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records and SSA medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2011.