PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence in remission was not manifested by total occupational and social impairment, thus the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is therefore denied.,PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency prior to February 25, 2009. The rating assigned for PTSD has been granted but remains at 30%.,Effective from February 1, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD resulted in deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms including suicidal ideation and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances. A higher 70% rating is now granted.,The Veteran meets criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since February 19, 2015. The rating is maintained as the symptoms continue to meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is pending. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse prior to May 15, 2013 was denied. The Veteran received a 10% disability rating for neuralgia of the seventh cranial nerve effective February 24, 2015 and this decision is final. The appeal for an earlier effective date for the 10% disability rating for neuralgia of the seventh cranial nerve prior to February 24, 2015 was denied. The Veteran received TDIU status prior to May 15, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is pending. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse prior to May 15, 2013 was denied. The Veteran received a 10% disability rating for neuralgia of the seventh cranial nerve effective February 24, 2015 and this decision is final. The appeal for an earlier effective date for the 10% disability rating for neuralgia of the seventh cranial nerve prior to February 24, 2015 was denied. The Veteran received TDIU status prior to May 15, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as the criteria for each claim have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been manifested, at worst, by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU was denied by the Board, with the denial of a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to February 6, 2008, and a rating in excess of 50 percent on and after that date. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU remains pending.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an updated VA examination using DSM-IV standards, as the case was certified before the effective date of the new DSM-V criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 15, 2016. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted due to the significant increase in severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a second Board hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD, a lumbar spine disability, and a residual scar with characteristic disfigurement.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, mood disorder, psychotic disorder, and adjustment disorder, is not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, reflecting the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted.

The Veteran's death was caused by an acute cerebrovascular accident, and the service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death. The Board grants service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) to include depression was found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's MDD and PTSD have warranted a disability rating of 50 percent prior to November 4, 2016, and a maximum disability rating of 100 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, his claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion to assess whether the Veteran suffered from an acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of his service and whether it caused or contributed substantially to his death.