PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused him to be unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of July 30, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and there are no unusual or exceptional disability factors warranting referral of the Veteran's claim for TDIU. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim and entitlement to TDIU is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Veteran is currently assigned a 70 percent evaluation for his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the current audiometric testing results do not warrant a higher rating. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD and service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board has determined that the character of the Appellant's discharge from service constitutes a bar to eligibility for VA compensation benefits. However, additional development is needed due to new evidence indicating PTSD and its potential connection to active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 28, 2011 and increased to 50 percent effective March 31, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since January 15, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks more than once a week, impaired impulse control, difficulty establishing effective relationships, and GAF scores ranging from 50 to 70.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been granted. The Board is unable to determine whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis based on his reported stressors due to insufficient evidence and remanded instructions were not followed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, MDD, and alcohol dependence are related to his service, specifically the in-service stressors involving racial harassment. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's original claim for PTSD was denied in January 2009. New and material evidence was received within one year of the denial, allowing it to be reconsidered. The case is now remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not fully developed and requires additional development, including verification of in-service stressors, VA examinations to address psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, and chronic dyspnea, and procurement of relevant medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 20, 2012. The rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent disabling, the highest possible rating. The Board also found that he meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess his service-connected PTSD and headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety and Depressed Mood, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to clarify all current psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at the highest possible level (70%), and he is also entitled to a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD. Additionally, the Veteran has been granted TDIU status.