PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from January 13, 2010 to January 31, 2011. The TDIU claim was also granted during this period.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

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

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms productive of deficiencies in most areas, such as work and family relations, but not total social and occupational impairment. The criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD are not met.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disability, were denied. The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids claim was also denied.,The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is currently rated at 20% from October 10, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression. The appeals are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service connection claims, including those related to PTSD, bilateral foot disorder, and skin disorder.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD and TDIU. A new VA examination is required, as well as additional development of the claimant's employment history.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Board finds that additional evidence, including VA treatment records from North Chicago VAMC, is needed to determine if the Veteran filed earlier claims for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, along with depression and social phobia, is service-connected. The conditions are considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 28, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The effective date will be November 26, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 15, 2010. This decision is based on the liberalized VA regulation that allows for service connection without corroborating evidence if the stressor is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and a VA psychiatrist confirms the diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional treatment records and an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling examinations for PTSD and left ankle conditions, and readjudicating the issues.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing and notifying the Veteran of the date, time, and location of this hearing. The appeal is also pending due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas throughout the entire appeal period, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for PTSD has been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.