PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible level of 100 percent, effective July 15, 2009. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduled hearing at VA's Central Office in Washington, DC. The Veteran requested a videoconference hearing instead.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by ongoing depression, difficulty sleeping due to persistent nightmares, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, difficulty concentrating, increased irritability, outbursts of anger, and avoidance. His Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores ranged from 45-55, resulting in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but without total occupational and social impairment prior to January 5, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from the 106th General Hospital and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his current psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, impotence, and PTSD. The case is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from November 23, 2009. The claim for service connection for tongue cancer is being remanded due to the need for additional development. New and material evidence was received in support of the previously denied claim for tongue cancer.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and MDD was denied as there is no evidence that she filed a formal or informal claim prior to July 29, 2009.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and MDD was denied based on the current symptomatology not meeting criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 12, 2010 was denied as her service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent evaluation effective October 2, 2013. The VA examiner found the Veteran had occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected due to in-service stressors, and the cause of death is not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting VA examinations to assess his service-connected PTSD with sustained, full-remission alcohol dependence and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing medical records and arrange for a new VA examination. The case will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially evaluated at 10 percent prior to October 12, 2010. From that date until November 26, 2013, he received a 30 percent evaluation. However, the most recent evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD on or after November 26, 2013 was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 15, 2010. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying a claimed PTSD stressor. A new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with chronic schizophrenia has been rated at 70 percent since August 8, 2007. The effective date for the TDIU benefits cannot be earlier than the effective date of the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms and their relation to in-service parachute training.

The Board has ordered a supplemental opinion to address the Veteran's diagnoses of depression and ADHD, as well as whether they pre-existed service or were aggravated by service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, rash on penis (claimed as genital herpes), circumcision of phimosis due to venereal warts, penis, osteophytes in the lumbar spine, depression, and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and determine if an earlier effective date is warranted for the Veteran's 100 percent disability rating for PTSD.