PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 50 percent since the award of service connection on April 21, 2010. The disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused total occupational and social impairment for the period from March 1, 2009 to May 31, 2009. However, for the period from May 31, 2009 to June 15, 2010, the Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating due to PTSD.

Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy from February 5, 2009 to June 13, 2012 was withdrawn prior to the Board decision. The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 100% since October 19, 2012.,Veteran's PTSD with MDD has been rated at 70% from November 6, 2007 to October 19, 2012. The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have continued since then. The evidence is at least in equipoise on whether these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his period of active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's symptoms do not warrant an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the March 2014 VA examination, and an addendum opinion is needed to address whether any current mental disorder clearly and unmistakably pre-existed military service or was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding combat participation and insufficient medical opinions. The case will be reviewed again after further development, including a review of the 85th Maintenance Company in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has resulted in occupational and social deficiencies, warranting a 70 percent rating. However, the evidence does not support an award of TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper notice of TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial disability ratings for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral diabetic retinopathy with history of cataracts, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, lung disorder (bronchitis and asthma), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and ensuring a Statement of the Case on TDIU has been issued.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at the highest possible schedular rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. The residuals of a head injury are not service-connected.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and right shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis with impingement and degenerative joint disease, as well as entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed for the Veteran's PTSD and hepatitis C claims, as these records may impact the adjudication of her appeal. The case is therefore being remanded to allow for this development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depressive disorders is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.