PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before the Board. The issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, anxiety, right ear hearing loss, chondromalacia of both knees, and bilateral restless leg syndrome remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing an opinion on whether hypertension is related to in-service herbicide exposure. Another VA examination is also needed to determine if the diagnosed anxiety disorder was aggravated by service. The Veteran should be provided a VA examination to determine the current severity of his diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to inadequate examination in November 2015. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted prior to March 5, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD and hand/finger conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective June 1, 2017. The RO reduced the rating from 100 to 50 percent based on clear and unmistakable error in its previous decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's military sexual trauma occurred and its relationship to his PTSD. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is not service-connected as there was no confirmed stressor. The Schizo-affective Disorder pre-existed service and increased in severity during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection of PTSD due to lack of corroborated in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, scars, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, right hand arthritis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the schedular requirement for a TDIU due to his combined disability rating of 80 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was entitled to a TDIU as of November 27, 2007, based on his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of the issues on appeal, including the submission of additional VA medical records.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD, and all outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including whether any such disability is related to his active service. This includes obtaining deck logs from the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy for December 3, 1981, and arranging for a VA mental health examination.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and TDIU have been denied as there is no evidence of an increase in disability prior to the date of claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he is in receipt of SMC due to his service-connected disabilities. However, the TDIU claim was denied as his combined rating does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the beginning of her appeal, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the appellant and their representative.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 20, 2016. The rating reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment in social and occupational functioning.