PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran experienced an in-service sexual assault and whether he currently suffers from PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder. The examiner is also asked to provide opinions on the likely etiology of any diagnosed condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and chronic renal failure are not fully resolved due to inconsistencies in his reported stressors and military service, leading to a mixed disposition. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions may be related to his military service but there is insufficient evidence to establish direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The issue of service connection for a right leg disability remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since August 30, 2007. The Board has determined that the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his service in Vietnam and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The Veteran's claims of service connection for chloracne, PTSD, and head injury will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent from July 30, 2009 to April 2, 2016 and was granted a rating of 70 percent effective April 3, 2016.,PTSD has been shown to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled video conference hearing and because he requested rescheduling closer to his home. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are also pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has recharacterized the Veteran's claim for service connection for 'bi-polar disorder and PTSD' as one for entitlement to service connection for PTSD and one for entitlement to service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to service and whether it was first manifested prior to service. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% since April 24, 2008 and increased to 50% from September 10, 2014.,Sinusitis was initially rated as noncompensable but increased to 50% effective September 10, 2014.,Obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be etiologically related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending as it was not fully adjudicated in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development related to his claimed in-service stressors and special operations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, and PTSD. The TDIU claim is also deferred until other increased rating claims may be resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD was present at the time he filed his claim in February 1994, and thus an effective date of February 10, 1994 for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with PTSD and related disabilities have been rated at 70 percent since November 19, 2003. The effective date for the TDIU rating has also been established as of that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional medical records. The claims for PTSD, gall bladder disorder, inguinal hernia, and sinus disorder will be reviewed based on the new evidence.