PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing and issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding the effective date assigned for the grant of service connection for a fracture of the right distal tibia. The Veteran's claims are not fully resolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his psychiatric disorders and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been denied as he does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that his primary occupational impairment is from a non-service connected condition, chronic pulmonary insufficiency.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 50 percent since September 4, 2009. He is also granted TDIU due to service-connected disabilities including PTSD and SMC at the housebound rate beginning November 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a hearing request and scheduling issues.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD and PTSD, was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment prior to February 13, 2014.,For the left hand injury and back strain issues, additional examinations are needed as their status is currently unknown.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the initial grant of service connection. For the period prior to August 26, 2010, he was not rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social deficiencies, warranting a rating of 70 percent since August 7, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current psychiatric symptoms and his military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 31, 1994 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's original claim was filed on that date.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for kidney disorder, hypertension, and residuals of stroke. The Board is dismissing these matters as there are no longer any issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, which he claims is related to his time in service. The Board has determined that further verification of the claimed stressors is needed and remands the case for this purpose.

The Veteran withdrew his request for an increased disability rating for PTSD, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records, authorization for release of medical records, and a statement of the case for the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO increased his back disability rating to 20 percent effective October 3, 2011. The Veteran was not granted any other benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD has been shown to cause symptoms such as nightmares, difficulty sleeping, avoidance of crowds, intrusive memories, some short-term memory loss, an exaggerated startle response, depression, anxiety, anger and irritability, and social isolation. However, these symptoms have not resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as his symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.