PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has found that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for further examination and consideration of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD. The criteria to establish service connection are met, as the Veteran reported multiple in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, which have led to a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include all acquired psychiatric disorders and is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service hospitalization records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional stressor verification and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was not productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, or mood; or total occupational and social impairment. Therefore, the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from August 12, 2013 have not been met.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence to support the appellant's claimed in-service stressors, and thus denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective from May 2, 2011. Prior to this date, the disability was rated as 70 percent.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for the appellant's service-connected PTSD, effective from May 15, 2010.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability. The case is now referred for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent rating, but his ED and other issues do not meet the criteria for higher ratings. The case is remanded to consider further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been manifested by severe symptoms that have resulted in deficiencies in most areas, including work, interpersonal relations, thinking, and mood. The Veteran is entitled to a 70 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD with anxiety and panic attacks, secondary depression, and episodic alcohol abuse is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder with PTSD, which was initially rated as 30 percent disabling and later increased to 70 percent effective April 5, 2000, is granted. The effective date for the 70 percent rating remains April 5, 2000.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD. The Board also found that the Veteran currently meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted effective July 6, 2010. However, his claim for TDIU was denied as there was no evidence of unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and bilateral hearing loss disability have been reopened, but the new evidence does not establish a nexus to service. The claim for PTSD is inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and back disability. TDIU is also deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination for PTSD and a VA dermatological examination to determine the nature and etiology of any skin disability. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from September 1, 2010. The reduction of the rating to 30 percent was denied as there was no actual improvement in her disability or ability to function.,A TDIU has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric, foot, knee, and thyroid disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her active duty.