PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is the result of disease or injury incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the criteria for a TDIU are therefore not met.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of service connection for PTSD and right leg shorter than the left; higher ratings for left hip replacement, left hip scar, and adjustment disorder with anxiety; and TDIU.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as there was no claim for a psychiatric disorder prior to March 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 29, 2011. The cognitive disorder NOS claim was not addressed as it did not meet the criteria for separate compensation.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected, and his abdominal trauma residuals are granted an increased rating. Service connection for acid reflux was not established.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and higher initial rating for PTSD are denied. The appeal is not about service connection, so the TDIU claim proceeds.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since September 2, 2003. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD related to service and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating since June 1, 2012. Prior to that date, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has ordered further development for the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The remand includes obtaining additional VA medical records, SSA records, and clarifying opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports this reopening. The gastrointestinal disorder is not considered a result of an undiagnosed illness, but rather due to known clinical entities such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia. Service connection was denied for the gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's claims are supported by medical evidence showing current diagnoses of these conditions and a link between them and his military service.

The Veteran is precluded from substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing. A new hearing opportunity should be scheduled for him.