PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for PTSD with depressive disorder NOS is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective November 14, 2008. The disability picture more closely approximates a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been withdrawn. The claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his death from metastatic rectal cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure to obtain all relevant VA treatment records.

The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims of in-service stressors and therefore, his current psychiatric disability is not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 17, 2012. The Board found that the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and impaired social functioning warranted this rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with polysubstance abuse has been rated at 50 percent since September 6, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for this disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing before the Board. The issues of effective date, temporary total evaluation, PTSD disability rating, and service connection for a back disability are not addressed as they are marked as 'unknown'.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining employment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his current adjustment disorder severity. The case will be returned to the AOJ after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his claimed stressor(s) are related to fear of hostile military activity and whether he has a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding his sleep apnea and a statement of the case on the PTSD evaluation issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a request for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for TDIU and the reduction of his PTSD disability rating from 70% to 30%. The Board has determined that these issues require additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating throughout the entire period of his claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and any private treatment records related to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The rating has been granted but no more than the current level.