PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disability. The claim will also be considered in light of any new evidence submitted.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from February 12, 2013. The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by reduced reliability and productivity in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairments with deficiencies in most areas, meeting the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating from February 1, 2007. The Board also found that he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities on and after February 1, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD and alcohol dependence are related to service. The weight of the evidence is against a finding that bilateral hearing loss was manifested during service or otherwise shown to be related to the Veteran's active service. Tinnitus was exhibited in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU for the entire appeals period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression is being remanded due to missing records from the claims file. The Board requests that copies of several private treatment records be obtained and associated with the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation beginning September 26, 2008. As such, an effective date of June 13, 2012 for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the disability meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and coronary artery disease have been found to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, and he is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability. Additionally, the Veteran is also eligible for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 30 percent disabling, and his bilateral hearing loss has not met the criteria for a compensable rating. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran wishes to withdraw his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is being appealed as secondary to PTSD. The appeal has been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD are denied as they do not meet the legal criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling after December 5, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused significant impairment in his occupational and social functioning, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining all VA medical records from the Huntington Vet Center and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD, diabetes, or bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete Vet Center records and the need for additional development regarding his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressors and grants service connection for PTSD.