PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms more nearly approximating total occupational impairment, and the Board has granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend scheduled VA examinations and the need for additional examination and opinion regarding his service-connected conditions, as well as a new VA examination to assess any current respiratory disability. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, psychosis, and personality disorder is being remanded due to the need for an adequate examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash of the bilateral legs is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records from Dr. Raveesh and to schedule a VA dermatology examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and hypertension are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, to schedule a VA dermatology examination, and to obtain an additional VA medical opinion regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD was caused by fear of hostile military activity during his service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and Multiple Personality Disorder), alcohol abuse, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition. The decision is mixed as some issues have been granted while others were not.

For the period from January 16, 2013 to January 20, 2016, the Veteran is rated at 50% for migraine headaches with Migraine Variants.,Beginning on January 21, 2016, the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50%

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, effective June 11, 2013. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at the highest possible schedular rating (100%) throughout the appeal period, and there are no other issues to consider regarding a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher rating than the current 50 percent. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from May 16, 2011, forward.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, diagnosed as depressive disorder and PTSD, are related to his military service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and insomnia was granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective June 27, 2012. She also received TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD alone and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with anxiety, concentration deficits, memory deficits, and fatigue was granted. The decision is based on new evidence that supports the diagnosis of PTSD related to his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression has been granted. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met, given his combat experience and diagnosed PTSD.

The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be related to his in-service head injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence has been rated at 70 percent since December 22, 2011. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran is seeking a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence, currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of this condition.