PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, other than major depressive disorder, specifically Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The evidence supports a diagnosis and links it to a claimed in-service stressor.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, and hepatitis C. The lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are considered to be directly related to service based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoid personality disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, requires further development due to conflicting medical opinions and unverified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% rating. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The earliest possible effective date is November 12, 2013, as that is the date the Veteran first filed a claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent prior to June 5, 2015. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they resulted in no worse than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD and knee conditions do not meet the criteria for a 100% rating, and his TDIU claim is denied due to his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective the date of his claim. His bilateral hearing loss is rated at 60 percent. The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation and granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed PTSD began during his honorable period of active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by blurry vision, ischemic heart disease, osteoarthritis, prostate disability, or PTSD. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed due to the inadequacy of previous opinions and the need for consideration of all relevant evidence, including recent medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board finds that a rating of 70 percent is warranted for the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with a depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent effective February 16, 2017. The rating reflects significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a valid diagnosis in service or during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome, tinnitus, and PTSD have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities. The Board has granted a TDIU effective October 7, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to July 29, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a transcript from the Veteran's requested hearing, and is now scheduling him for a videoconference hearing.