PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol and substance abuse. The claim for service connection of a low back disability was denied as there is no evidence to support that it is related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is rated at 70 percent effective April 16, 2010. Service connection for chloracne was denied as less likely than not related to active duty service or toxic herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating beginning February 1, 2010, based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions and records. The issues of service connection for constipation, a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and entitlement to a TDIU rating are now before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of the additional evidence submitted after the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether an extraschedular evaluation is warranted for hypertension, which was initially granted in a 10 percent rating. The referral to the Director of Compensation Service will assess the collective impact of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's disability picture.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for the appellant's service-connected PTSD, effective from May 28, 1999.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. His claim for PTSD has been granted, with a diagnosis of PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a uniform disability rating of 50 percent is warranted throughout the appellate period.

For the initial rating period from February 25, 2008, to August 12, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD was not manifested by symptoms that would warrant a higher than 50 percent rating.,For the initial rating period from August 13, 2012, to September 24, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms that warranted a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as well.

The Veteran's appeal is for an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disabilities prior to October 5, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, effective August 16, 2012. The erectile dysfunction associated with the diabetes is considered a noncompensable complication of the disability and thus does not warrant an additional rating.

The Board has determined that a new examination is required to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, as the previous examinations are deemed inadequate. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence and arguments. The claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and for an effective date earlier than September 27, 2011 for service connection are pending.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.,The Veteran does not have a current right hip disability.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and low back disability was granted effective June 7, 2012. The initial rating of 40 percent for the low back disability is granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma consistent with his combat service in Vietnam, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The issue of a higher initial rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability and consideration of whether an extraschedular evaluation is appropriate.