PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and a sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea) were denied. The effective date for the award of service connection for tinnitus was set at December 10, 2009.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus prior to December 10, 2009, is not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective October 4, 2010. Prior to this date, her combined disability rating was only 50 percent and did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated, but the ratings are mixed. The PTSD has a 70% rating prior to January 8, 2015, and from that date onwards. The lumbar spine disability has a 10% rating before September 10, 2015, and a 20% rating after that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have had its onset during his military service, specifically due to combat experiences in Vietnam. Service connection for PTSD prior to November 4, 2016 is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of a nexus between his current psychiatric disability and any event, injury, or disease in service.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence in remission is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted TDIU from April 5, 2016 to September 15, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD has been shown to be characterized by no more than 'pacing behavior,' nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, low concentration, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, social isolation and distrust of others, trouble sleeping, forgetfulness, angry outbursts, and chronic social and occupational impairment. The Board finds that a 50 percent rating is warranted for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with polysubstance abuse is manifested by symptoms of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 100 percent prior to October 21, 2016. The grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD renders moot the appeal for TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating for PTSD. The Veteran's respiratory condition claim was previously addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a left knee disability and denied service connection for this condition.,Service connection was not granted for PTSD due to the lack of verified in-service stressor, resulting in a mixed decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no verified PTSD stressor, and the current conditions are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeal as to issues of service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda, and higher ratings for ischemic heart disease, residuals of a right clavicle fracture, bilateral hearing loss, and a surgical scar. The earlier effective date issue is still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a psychiatric examination to determine the severity of his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and an evaluation of his eligibility for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been raised.

The Board has scheduled the Veteran for a video conference hearing to address his claim of reopening the PTSD service connection. The appeal is now remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated mental health treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issue of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board found that his PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, but not higher.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 50 percent, and denied his claim for TDIU.