PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 70 percent or 100 percent evaluation under DC 9411.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD have been denied by the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to be productive of total occupational and social impairment prior to November 28, 2011, warranting a 100 percent schedular evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is caused or aggravated by his active service and granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD most nearly approximates deficiencies in most areas of work, school, family relationships, thinking, judgment, and mood without total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his vocation rehabilitation folder.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU rating prior to September 27, 2013. The Board has remanded the case for additional development including obtaining clarification of employment history and providing an opinion on the functional impairment caused solely by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently service-connected, but the cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability have not been established as service-connected.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) has been granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is also addressed and will be remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling since February 26, 2009. The symptoms described are indicative of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The claims of service connection and increased ratings are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, including any interrelated schizophrenia.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and additional records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner must address whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are directly due to military service based on in-service stressors provided by the Veteran and his buddy statement.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective January 16, 2015. The rating reflects the Veteran's occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective relationships.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being permanently housebound was denied as there is no evidence of blindness, incapacity requiring care or assistance, or substantial confinement to his dwelling.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The case is now REMANDED for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has not manifested to a degree of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has determined that additional development is needed before this claim can be decided.