PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for a back disability in February 2014 but his appeal on this issue has not been certified for current review.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to June 13, 2013. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling throughout the appeal period, which renders moot his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, has been granted service connection due to his combat experience in the Persian Gulf War. The Board found that his symptoms are related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA disability records. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a scheduling issue, and the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart problems, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and sleep apnea are pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depressed mood, has been rated at 30 percent since April 17, 2007. The Board found that the condition warranted a higher initial rating of 50 percent from July 31, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 26, 2014. The effective date for this rating is not specified.

The Board has granted a 100 percent initial rating for depressive disorder NOS effective May 14, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in November 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting a VA examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim is pending, as are his claims related to bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video-conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy) preclude him from obtaining substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is rated at 50 percent, and his prostate cancer is rated at 40 percent. The claims for service connection for hypertension, sinusitis, left toe, foot and ankle gout, right eye glaucoma, and depression have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right wrist disability, have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD, and his acquired psychiatric disorder is not attributable to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and did not meet the criteria for service connection based on an in-service stressor. The acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia, was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since February 11, 2010. The claim for service connection of a sinus condition has been reopened and the evidence now raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.