PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder and PTSD, originated during his active service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's emergency room visit at a private facility on October 31, 2012 was not for an authorized service-connected condition and did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations. The treatment provided was deemed non-emergency in nature.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating since February 4, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD is reopened, and his headaches are rated at 30 percent. His lumbar degenerative arthrosis and radiculopathy are each rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his disabilities and grants TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities prior to May 18, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depression are related to his active duty service, thus service connection is granted. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the July 1985 rating decision contained clear and unmistakable error in denying service connection for PTSD, which was granted on March 14, 1985.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 2011, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder prior to August 9, 2012 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and clarifying his employment status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice of her scheduled video hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise whether the Veteran suffers from PTSD related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU, effectively dismissing these matters.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since February 24, 2009. The Board granted a higher initial rating of 100 percent effective January 10, 2014 for the period prior to that date. For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS is currently rated at 50 percent, effective September 29, 2009. The disability results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD did not result in manifestations that more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment prior to July 24, 2007. For the period beginning July 24, 2007, his PTSD has not resulted in manifestations that more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by symptoms of chronic sleep impairment, flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, weekly nightmares and/or flashbacks, social isolation, occasional suicidal ideation without intent or plan, inability to establish and maintain effective social relationships, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances such as work or a work-like setting, and impaired impulse control marked by unprovoked irritability with periods of violence. For the entire period on appeal, the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation, but no higher, for PTSD are met.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's in-service stressors and to obtain updated VA treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.