PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD) is granted. The right foot plantar warts with callus formation and left foot plantar warts are each rated at 10 percent, resulting in a combined rating of 80 percent. TDIU is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification on whether any service-connected disability contributed to the Veteran's death. The appellant asserts that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea caused or materially contributed to his cause of death.

For the entire appeal period prior to March 28, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD has been productive of symptomatology resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the issuance of a VCAA-compliant notice, further development related to his PTSD claim and TDIU application, and for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including his recent employment at a retail store. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant records from the Omaha VAMC, provide the Veteran with another VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability) and request additional information about his earned income since March 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV and denied service connection for both PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling from December 22, 2009, to November 3, 2013, and from March 1, 2014, to the present. The rating was not higher due to his symptoms being consistent with reduced reliability and productivity.

Effective May 1, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such a condition related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for a VA social and industrial survey.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since the March 22, 2010 effective date of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from April 2, 2014. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in work, family relations, thinking, and mood.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and readjudicating the issues. The Veteran's appeal is not yet decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA disability records and ensuring all claims are readjudicated.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective October 18, 2011. The claim for TDIU is inferred and remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The Board also found no service connection as the acquired psychiatric disorders are not shown to be related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the Winston-Salem RO. The issues include service connection for sleep apnea, earlier effective date for PTSD, increased ratings for PTSD and gunshot wound to right thigh with healed fracture to right femur, compensable disability rating for injury to the left right finger with well-healed surgical scar, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not more nearly approximated the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent since October 5, 2009. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that he has been unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to his service-connected disabilities.