PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus do not make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 27, 2007. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms and overall impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD has been granted, with the effective date set at February 10, 2009. The Veteran is currently rated at 70% for PTSD, which reflects significant impairment in work and social functioning.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected due to the lack of continuous total disability rating for at least ten years prior to his death. The cause of death, rectal cancer, is not related to military service or exposure.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is rated at 30 percent since May 24, 2013. The effective date for this rating remains to be determined as the AOJ has not provided one.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has received notification from the appellant that she wishes to withdraw her appeal regarding an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing and further development, including consideration of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep disorder is attributed to his service-connected PTSD, and he does not have a separate diagnosed sleep disorder. His lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling due to forward flexion limited to more than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease, to include as due to herbicide exposure, has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded for an updated VA examination to assess his PTSD disability.

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for ischemic heart disease from July 27, 2010 to October 17, 2011.,The Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD from July 27, 2010 to October 17, 2011.

The Veteran's rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder was restored to 70 percent, effective the date of the March 2015 examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of functional impairment comparable to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be service-connected. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and alcohol abuse due to additional evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be reviewed again, with an in-person VA examination of the Veteran's mental health condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and gunshot wounds of the right shoulder and arm, along with his alcohol dependence, contributed to his cause of death from metabolic encephalopathy due to methanol intoxication.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to April 5, 2010. The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD secondary to military sexual trauma (MST) effective from April 5, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination of the Veteran's claims, including for a psychiatric evaluation, orthopedic evaluations, and an audiological examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. This includes obtaining records of any investigation regarding her reported military sexual trauma (MST) and scheduling a VA examination.