PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from May 13, 2010. The rating reflects significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and clarification on the cause of his memory and cognition symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected PTSD and its relationship to sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for sleep apnea, which was secondary to service-connected PTSD. The Board dismissed the appeal as the withdrawal was effective on March 18, 2014.

The Veteran is now service-connected for additional disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, cataracts, and hypertension. These conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 8, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a hearing loss disability. The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol and marijuana abuse was rated in excess of 70 percent prior to March 1, 2013 and in excess of 50 percent beginning on March 1, 2013. The TDIU issue is also denied.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities or an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private mental health treatment records. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining SSA records and confirming the Veteran's posting at Camp Irwin.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the current level of severity of her PTSD. The issue remains whether she should receive an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's chronic bilateral lower extremity dermatitis is rated at 60% prior to April 1, 2011, and 30% thereafter. His PTSD remains rated at 30%. The decision also addressed a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to new evidence submitted after the March 2016 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and/or anxiety, cannot be established as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis. The Board acknowledges that he served in combat but lacks supporting documentation.,The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

From August 9, 2010 to June 25, 2015, the Veteran's Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was manifested by no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,Since June 26, 2015, the Veteran's Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unemployable, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he currently works full-time in a self-employed business. The Board finds that the Veteran is capable of performing physical labor required by his job.