PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to missing records and the need for a new VA examination. The issue on appeal remains whether he should receive an increased evaluation for his PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression. The evidence received since the last denial supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his combat experiences in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a Decision Review Officer hearing and issuing a supplemental statement of the case on the reduction rating issue. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated following these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD manifests in occupational and social impairment with occasional decreases in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupation tasks, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the right shoulder disability receiving a 70% rating since April 8, 2008. The Veteran has also been awarded TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent prior to May 3, 2007. The Board granted this rating and denied a higher evaluation.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his current psychiatric disability is not related to his period of active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD and Anxiety Disorder are currently rated at 30 percent, effective August 27, 2015. The case is being remanded for additional development to address the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, resulted in unemployability prior to November 10, 2004. The effective date for the TDIU is set at that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders. The issues on appeal include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety disorder and PTSD) and entitlement to a referral for an extraschedular evaluation for hemorrhagic and ovarian cyst.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in significant impairment, including suicidal ideation and difficulty maintaining relationships. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective April 30, 2009, and TDIU based on PTSD alone effective April 30, 2009. Effective April 20, 2010, the Veteran's SMC at the housebound rate was also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining reasonably gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in January 2014 is inadequate for adjudicating this claim. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, are to be evaluated again with consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there was no in-service disorder for which service connection could be established.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder has been rated at 20 percent since October 24, 2006. The current rating is based on marked limitation of motion.,PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since March 10, 2006. The current rating reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has found that a higher evaluation of 70 percent is warranted. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board granted TDIU for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to June 16, 2014 and increased to 70 percent from that date. The appeal is for a higher initial rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability determination records.