PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claimed conditions or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent rating are satisfied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The initial 50 percent disability rating for PTSD with mood disorder NOS remains unchanged.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 50 percent effective September 2014, and the issue of TDIU to include on an extraschedular basis is referred for further action.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of his pending appeals, including the claims for an initial evaluation greater than 70 percent for PTSD, entitlement to an effective date prior to July 15, 2010 for the grant of service connection for PTSD, and entitlement to an effective date prior to July 15, 2010 for entitlement to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, or any link to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to June 9, 2010, and the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing and issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding his scars claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD are related to his military service. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further review of his claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent from September 16, 2015. The appeal has been granted for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has PTSD, and reasonable doubt must be resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. However, the claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are pending and will be remanded. The Veteran's PTSD claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been granted, and his TDIU prior to June 17, 2014, is also granted. The effective dates are not specified as the issues were decided on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and proper notification regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, arranging a VA psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and DM have not prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment at any point pertinent to this appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for major depressive disorder or PTSD, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service and VA examinations did not provide an etiological opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders are not etiologically related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.