PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS with poor sleep and alcohol use disorder is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood. The Board has assigned a disability rating of 70 percent for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have combat service and his lay statements alone were insufficient to establish the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was denied.

The Veteran's left little finger digital neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on additional factors such as pain or weakness.

The Veteran's PTSD and amnestic disorder have been rated at the highest available level of disability, with no higher ratings granted for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an opinion based on newly acquired evidence. The Veteran's claim remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD and fibromyalgia are service-connected, with the TBI residuals not being a separate issue. The Veteran is granted a higher initial rating for PTSD from February 5, 2010, and a TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 9411, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was denied as there is no evidence that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment solely because of his service-connected disabilities prior to September 27, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and PTSD were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for his PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a compensable evaluation for residuals of a perforated right ear drum. The Veteran is entitled to further development on his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of December 12, 2012 for the award of TDIU due to service-connected PTSD and other disabilities. The Veteran's PTSD alone precludes her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) and variously diagnosed to include a depressive disorder, based on new evidence that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim. The Veteran now has a current diagnosis of a depressive disorder, which he attributes to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to September 1, 2009 and increased to 50 percent effective September 1, 2009. The temporary total rating for hospitalization in excess of 21 days due to PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board hearing at the RO in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's residuals of a head injury, effective from the date of the decision. The issue of increased PTSD rating was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's non-compensable service-connected disabilities did not interfere with his employability prior to February 10, 2010. For the period beginning on February 10, 2010, there is no legal entitlement to a 10 percent disability evaluation as he is in receipt of a compensable rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hammertoes was granted with an effective date of April 11, 2010. His PTSD remains at a maximum evaluation of 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to April 28, 2010, and the Board finds that with resolution of reasonable doubt in his favor, he meets the criteria for a 50 percent rating.