PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 10% prior to February 20, 2014, and 40% thereafter. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity were each rated as 10%. His PTSD was rated as 30%, and his left leg scar was not assigned a compensable rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent throughout the appeal period, meeting the threshold schedular requirement for a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits, finding that the earliest date of claim was June 17, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with anxiety disorder has been withdrawn by his representative.,The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities since October 10, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted with an effective date of June 10, 2008. The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities and inability to work.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is now considered.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, and bipolar disorder, type II are found to be related to his period of active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after all necessary development is completed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 10, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms are nearly the same as those listed in the criteria for a 70 percent rating and do not equate to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and its impact on employment. The TDIU claim will also be remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with the PTSD rating issue.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression have been rated at 50 percent since July 30, 1981 to July 15, 1996.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee medial meniscal tear were both denied, with the PTSD receiving a final rating of 30 percent effective April 21, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 28, 2014. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between current hearing loss or PTSD and military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, but denied his claim for hypertension. The issues of entitlement to service connection for muscle aches, headaches, and coughing are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD) rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD in June 2014, effective August 10, 2005. The Veteran's original claim of service connection was denied in March 1997 and the case has been reopened multiple times with new evidence submitted.

The Board dismissed the appeal because no Notice of Disagreement was filed regarding the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD.