PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD with depression is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 31, 2009 for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied. However, the Veteran's claim for an effective date of April 18, 2000 for tinnitus was granted.,The Board found that no CUE was committed in the August 2000 rating decision denying PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's PTSD was not linked to verified in-service stressors, and his erectile dysfunction claim is based on secondary service connection which cannot be established as a matter of law.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection and a compensable rating for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 30, 2013. For the initial rating period from October 1, 2010 through March 29, 2013, his PTSD was found to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, including as secondary to PTSD, was granted. The TDIU claim prior to May 5, 2014, was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since September 2009, and the Board granted this rating. The appeal for TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an updated VA examination and the provision of any outstanding medical records. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA examination reports to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension.

PTSD symptoms have caused significant impairment in work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood prior to October 27, 2014.,From October 29, 2013, to December 31, 2013, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired flatfeet, various psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia), and hypertension. The decision is based on a lack of new and material evidence to reopen the claim for acquired flatfeet.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and as secondary to a service-connected disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to determine his eligibility for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The issues include seeking an increased disability rating for PTSD and determining whether he is unemployable due to his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder, hypertension, mini-strokes, and peripheral neuropathy. The gastric disability claim was denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD and nightmare disorder are related to his in-service stressor, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his impairment does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment. The Veteran also does not qualify for SMC as he has no other service-connected disability rated at least 60%.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is now rated at 70 percent, effective May 16, 2014. Prior to this date, the rating was 50 percent.