PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination considering his service-connected PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, and other disabilities. The examiner must assess whether these conditions affect his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include all acquired psychiatric disorders and is remanding the case for further development, including scheduling a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to October 30, 2008. The Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, effective September 19, 2006. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant an evaluation higher than 50 percent.

The September 2006 rating decision granting service connection for PTSD effective February 17, 2006 is being reconsidered due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board dismissed the appeal seeking an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD because it was not timely appealed to the Court, and thus is barred from being addressed on the merits.

Throughout the course of this appeal, the Veteran's PTSD has more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examination reports and need for clarification on service connection issues.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including chronic sleep impairment, flattened affect, estrangement from others, and disturbances of mood, more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran is seeking increased disability ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from August 9, 2010, to June 25, 2015, and since June 26, 2015. The case must be remanded to obtain all relevant Vet Center records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of substantial gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back disorder, fractured nose with deviated septum, and tinea pedis. The evidence did not establish that these conditions rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat and his claimed PTSD was not related to any service stressor, including a personal assault. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD with panic disorder and depression was denied by the Board. The current ratings are 30 percent prior to May 8, 2009; 50 percent from May 8, 2009, through November 10, 2014; and 70 percent since November 17, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol and polysubstance abuse is found to cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, hypertension, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling, effective February 29, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased the rating for anxiety disorder with PTSD to 70 percent. The Veteran's claims for other conditions remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing his claims for service connection for hypertension and PTSD, as well as entitlement to a compensable rating for tinea cruris. The Veteran will have the opportunity to perfect his appeal by filing a substantive appeal if he wishes.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective prior to September 17, 2015. The claim for hypertension remains denied. Service connection for diabetes and a dental condition are not established. No new rating was granted.