PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD with depressive disorder NOS.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a minimum of 70 percent throughout the appeal period, meeting the criteria for TDIU. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings and TDIU are addressed in the remand section.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD are being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating from March 19, 2001 to March 19, 2012. The TDIU claim prior to March 19, 2012 is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD under DSM-IV.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma and/or physical assault. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible account of in-service stressors and supporting evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied the claim as there is no evidence showing a link between his current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, stroke residuals, major depression, obesity, diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, and a right leg/right foot disorder. The decision is based on the lack of evidence establishing a direct link between these conditions and military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of additional evidence, including a VA examination report from August 2016. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder is now pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to August 29, 2014 and a TDIU rating was granted effective September 28, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment that more nearly approximates deficiencies in most areas than total, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder resulted in total occupational and social impairment since October 23, 2008. The Board has determined that a 100 percent disability rating is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the effective date of service connection, and his bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the maximum available rating of 50 percent, but his claims for CFS, immune disorder, OSA, and ADD are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further development of his case.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment prior to February 20, 2014. On and after January 29, 2013 through February 19, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD has met the criteria for a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the Veteran's personnel records and the need for an updated opinion from a VA examiner regarding his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.