PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's in-service stressors and obtain morning reports for his unit. The case will be remanded for a VA examination if any verified stressor is found, to determine whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to December 4, 2013, and increased to 50 percent after that date. The current rating of 50 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea with restless leg syndrome has been reopened. His bipolar disorder with PTSD is rated at the maximum allowable under the rating criteria, and his other issues are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining mental health treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment, meeting the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of each currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and dysthymic disorder. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Major Depression have been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, social relations, and mood. The Board has granted a 70 percent initial rating for these conditions prior to August 25, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated private treatment records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The effective date for the grant of service connection is March 9, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing and maintaining any substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for PTSD. The right leg scar claim is granted, with service connection established.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and alcohol dependence are found to effectively preclude his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied this claim. The spine disability claim remains pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted it. The Veteran's tinnitus is also found to be related to his military service, and he was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression) as secondary to his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis.,Service connection for these conditions has been established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, TBI or any chronic vision disorder/dizziness/dental disability. The diabetes mellitus is not service-connected as it did not manifest in-service and there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a TDIU, and the Board has dismissed this issue as a result.

The Veteran's cold injury residuals were granted effective January 23, 2007. The rating assigned is 30 percent for both the left and right feet prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his hepatitis C claim will also be scheduled for a Travel Board hearing.