PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, and mood prior to September 9, 2014. From September 9, 2014, to November 14, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD continued to manifest similar symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a previous decision denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with new evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for his anxiety disorder with PTSD was denied as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment warranting a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective October 30, 2012. The claim for TDIU prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent since September 10, 1993. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period prior to March 16, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent prior to June 1, 2015 and at 70 percent from that date. The Board found the evidence in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to June 1, 2015, but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and TDIU prior to May 1, 2012. The initial rating of 70 percent reflects significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent rating prior to September 28, 2014. His Headache Disability was rated at 50 percent after December 18, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders, including whether they pre-existed service entrance, and his diverticulitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, related to his fear of hostile military activity during service in Beirut, Lebanon, was granted. The issue of increased rating for sciatica and PFS of the knees is pending. Service connection for hearing loss of the right ear is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there is no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for a higher initial evaluation of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's diagnoses and their relationship to service. The Veteran will be afforded a new VA examination to assess his psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is found to have its onset during service and the Veteran's symptoms are related to the claimed stressors. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are rated at 70%, 10%, and noncompensable respectively. The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective November 24, 2010, and a rating of 70% for PTSD effective July 13, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and completing a VA Form 21-8940. A PTSD examination will also be scheduled to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and alcoholism as secondary to a service-connected condition. The evidence did not support these claims.