PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since November 12, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 100 percent for PTSD due to severe impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and the Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 30 percent. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the TDIU issue due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability. The case is being returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, rheumatoid arthritis and eye disorder were not service connected, and there is no indication of any other service connection issues.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence supports reopening the claim. The Veteran's in-service stressors are considered under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3) regarding fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent effective prior to April 7, 2015, based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms including nightmares, intrusive thoughts, impaired impulse control, memory impairment, hallucinations, and thoughts of suicide. The ratings for the right and left knee conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, a depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, is now moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and an inadequate VA medical opinion. The RO is instructed to attempt to corroborate the Veteran's alleged stressors, particularly those involving a runway crossing in Vietnam, and schedule him for a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD effective April 13, 2009. The earlier effective date claim for service connection for PTSD is also granted to June 21, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 1, 2011.

The Veteran's cerebral/cerebellar disability with memory deficit and PTSD caused moderate impairment of memory, depression, concentration difficulties, word choice difficulties, inappropriate behavior, anhedonia, self-isolation, irritability, and mild headaches. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, anxiety, depression, dysthymia, and posttraumatic stress disorder, remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's accounts of his duties as a firefighter in Guam are credible and whether he has a psychiatric disability related to such stressor event. The claim will be re-adjudicated after completion of the requested development.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, Lumbosacral Strain, Sinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis, and Bilateral Pes Planus. Additionally, the Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for Sleep Apnea secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal of increased staged ratings for PTSD, was satisfied with his current rating for burns to his right hand, arm, and wrist, and requested withdrawal of all other issues. The TDIU claim is addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a 2000 rating decision. The Board finds that the 2000 decision was not erroneous, as there was no evidence corroborating in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 50 percent for the period prior to April 11, 2007. The back injury is not service-connected and does not affect his ability to work.