PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to psychiatric symptoms. The initial rating for PTSD prior to November 17, 2010 and from January 1, 2011 to December 8, 2011 is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to address the current severity of his CAD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. This reflects significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD with ADHD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability has been rated at 50 percent since March 13, 2009. The VA determined that the disability picture associated with PTSD with history of adjustment disorder with depressed mood most closely approximates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current sciatic nerve disability and denied his claim for service connection. The psychiatric disorder issue is remanded as there are outstanding records to be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% rating. The Veteran's left elbow disability was not service-connected.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is less than the 100% required for a TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the July 2009 rating decision is cumulative and does not provide new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, and the respiratory disorder claim is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board finds that the appellant's claim for an effective date of August 23, 2006, for the award of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance has been granted. The RO had previously denied this benefit due to a failure to report for a necessary VA medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues on appeal are service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, anxiety, and a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's death was caused by anoxic/hypoperfusion and severe brain injury, with the underlying cause being presumed toxic ingestion/overdose. His service-connected PTSD is considered to have contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, which includes PTSD and personality disorder, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas from December 29, 2004, to March 17, 2009. The effective date for the grant of service connection is October 23, 2003.

The Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating than 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that the current VA examination report does not accurately reflect the severity of his symptoms and remanded the case to afford him an opportunity for a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his left foot pes planus is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran also has service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. His skin disorder claim was reopened but not granted. He is entitled to a TDIU.