PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities due to recent testimony indicating current symptoms, but further examination is needed to assess their severity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% disability rating for PTSD is denied as there was no indication of an informal claim prior to September 14, 2011 and the increase in PTSD severity did not occur within one year before the receipt of his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his service, specifically his fear of hostile military activity while stationed at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from April 1, 2007. The Board has granted a total disability rating for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency prior to November 5, 2008. Beginning November 5, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and adjudicating the TDIU claim. The Veteran's PTSD rating remains under review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing. The initial rating for PTSD remains under review, as does the TDIU claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability and granted service connection for PTSD, finding that new evidence supports the diagnosis based on an in-service stressor related to fear of hostile terrorist activity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have tinnitus or any ringing in the ears that relates to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for tinnitus. The appeal regarding PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination. The issues of rating excessively vasovagal syncope and PTSD are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider the increased rating claim for hypertension with headaches as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in November 2015.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for PTSD, assigning an initial evaluation of 50 percent effective September 4, 2008. The Veteran seeks a higher rating.

The RO reduced the disability rating for prostate cancer from 100 percent to 40 percent, effective December 1, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include a residual shrapnel wound to the scalp with scar and substernal chest and right upper thigh scars.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms resulted in severe social and occupational impairment prior to July 10, 2001, warranting a 70 percent rating. As of July 10, 2001, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms productive of functional impairment comparable to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds that the current 50 percent disability rating is appropriate for the period beginning on December 15, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an updated VA examination and opinion regarding his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 10, 2014, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.