PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, reflecting total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as severe depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The rating for migraine headaches remains at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination with an industrial/occupational specialist to address the combined effects of the Veteran's PTSD and left knee disability on his employability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, but further development is needed due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder are linked to his combat experiences during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling error for his requested videoconference hearing. The claims will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and determined that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD, which is related to in-service stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as no formal or informal claim was received prior to March 27, 2008. The RO granted service connection and a 50 percent rating for PTSD retroactively effective on March 27, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as sleep impairment, lack of motivation, depressed mood, suspiciousness, mild impaired recent memory, and anxiety. This level of disability warrants a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 70 percent disabling effective September 27, 2012. The initial rating of 50 percent was assigned from January 29, 2009 to September 27, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with proper notice.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for an ear disorder and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded to obtain VA audiological examination reports and ensure that all necessary development has been completed.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for acid reflux is being remanded to obtain a clarifying opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his PTSD and depression.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction are being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not directly related, secondary to, or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a disability manifested by voice change is being remanded to provide the Veteran with a VA examination and determine if he has a current disability due to intubation during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals for service connection for residuals of a hemorrhagic stroke and for special monthly compensation due to the need for aid and attendance (A&A). The Board found that PTSD caused multiple head injuries, which in turn led to the 2012 hemorrhagic stroke.

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

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, with symptoms such as near-constant anxiety, episodic depression, sleep impairment, irritability, intrusive thoughts, concentration problems, mild memory impairment, panic attacks, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Veteran is granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities, bilateral tinnitus, hypertension, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hearing loss, have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective February 28, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU prior to April 28, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to February 1, 2010 and that the termination of his 100% disability evaluation for prostate cancer residuals was proper. He is already receiving the maximum schedular rating for urinary frequency.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment, so he is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Board found no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claimed PTSD stressors and denied service connection for both PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 100 percent, the highest schedular rating available. As a result, the claim for TDIU is moot since there remains no period where the schedular rating is 'less than total.'