PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, but his other disabilities do not contribute significantly to this conclusion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prior to February 28, 2012 and 70 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need to obtain all treatment records from the Springfield Vet Center since December 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated VA examination. The Board will consider his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, tinnitus, skin conditions, and coronary artery disease, in determining whether they preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent from September 23, 2014 onwards. He also has a separate rating for his schizoaffective disorder. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and adjudication, including consideration of service connection for alcoholism as secondary to PTSD. The TDIU issue will also be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has met the percentage requirements for a TDIU since May 31, 2006. The evidence shows that his PTSD has rendered him unemployable due to its severe functional effects.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus and dismissed the pending appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus. The Veteran withdrew his claim for a higher rating for tinnitus at his hearing before the Board in December 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD, entitlement to TDIU, and entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after all actions are completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records from the St. Petersburg Vet Center.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from September 24, 2012, to June 30, 2014, due to his service-connected PTSD. His hypertension does not impact his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective from the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to November 14, 2012. From that date onwards, his PTSD did not result in occupational and social impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to verify a stressor and obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 16, 2011. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms and occupational/social impairment.