PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU was denied as there were no pending claims prior to October 1, 2012 and the criteria for a schedular TDIU had not been met.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.,PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum available under current criteria. The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal regarding withholding 97 days of drill pay from his VA pay and allowances has been withdrawn. The issues of entitlement to a compensable disability evaluation for bilateral pes planus and an increased disability evaluation for PTSD are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and granted service connection. The issue of an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left lower extremity disabilities, and denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's single service-connected disability, PTSD with OCD, has not rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymia resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating since April 29, 2014. The effective date for the TDIU is set at January 14, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and non-VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the etiology of any current psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development.

The Veteran's appeal is about the rating of his PTSD. The claim was partially granted, with a 70% rating effective December 31, 2014, but not all issues were resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 14, 2015, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and develop the claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the evidence reasonably shows a current diagnosis of PTSD related to verified military sexual trauma during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a possible increase in evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his service-connected PTSD and TDIU ratings. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70% evaluation for PTSD are met as of April 25, 2006, but does not find evidence to support an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disorder, effective from March 31, 2015. The decision also found service connection for right leg radiculopathy secondary to the low back disorder.