PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not the severe impairment required for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent prior to April 3, 2013. Beginning on that date, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Depression and degenerative joint diseases, do not render him unemployable as he is currently employed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100 percent disabling effective December 23, 2014. The Board found that the condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused total occupational and social impairment due to persistent delusions or hallucinations, inappropriate behavior, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, occasional disorientation to place, impaired impulse control, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting), and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board grants an initial 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The initial schedular rating for PTSD prior to October 5, 2011 was granted at 50 percent.

The Veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis is service-connected and rated at 30 percent.,PTSD was granted as service-connected, but an initial rating higher than 70 percent prior to March 22, 2007, is denied. A TDIU was granted effective from March 22, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from the Albuquerque Vet Center and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he meets the DSM criteria for PTSD or had PTSD prior to 2012.

The Veteran is now eligible for a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities, effective from May 5, 2010. Prior to this date, he did not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on his employability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent rating since December 7, 2009. His diabetes mellitus, type II disability remains at the non-compensable level.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The criteria for service connection are met for all four conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to August 9, 2012 and 50 percent thereafter. The Veteran seeks a higher rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling him for a VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

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

The Veteran's request for a Board videoconference hearing has been scheduled, but she needs to reschedule due to relocation. The case is being remanded to reschedule the hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of verified stressors and in-service manifestations. New evidence received since the last denial does not provide a new or material basis for reopening these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying his alleged stressor. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The case will be returned to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) after obtaining additional information about his stressors and VA treatment records.