PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus do not render him unemployable prior to September 28, 2011. His combined disability rating was less than 70% at that time.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a service connection for PTSD based on an in-service stressor. However, the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service and need further examination to determine if they initially manifested during active duty or are otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, major depressive disorder, cluster B traits, and schizophrenia is being remanded due to the Veteran not appearing at his scheduled hearing. He provided a valid reason for missing the hearing.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU rating based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knee and back conditions, headaches, and tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional medical opinion is needed to assess the impact of these disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's right ear sensorineural hearing loss is as likely as not related to his active service, and the claim for this condition is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety NOS and depression is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was rated at 30 percent from April 24, 2007 to January 3, 2010 and increased to 50 percent from January 4, 2010 to June 12, 2011. The Board granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective January 4, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD, which is service-connected and rated at 100%, meets the criteria for VA home loan benefits due to her separation from service being a result of military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran may have a non-PTSD psychiatric disorder, but further clarification is needed regarding which diagnoses are of record and whether any diagnosis is related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran also meets criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since April 16, 2014. The symptoms have included flattened affect, anxiety, depression, irritability, poor sleep and nightmares, disturbances in mood or motivation, and difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, cervical muscle strain on the right side, bruxism, and headaches were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and therefore denied this claim. The evidence did not establish a link between any diagnosed mental health condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of current hearing loss or eye condition disabilities, and there is no direct service connection established.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied.,Service connection for left ulnar neuropathy, previously denied due to lack of evidence of current disability at the time of the April 1971 decision, was granted with an effective date of August 14, 1969.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression and PTSD, was granted with an effective date of January 24, 2001.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination and the acquisition of Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.