PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent from August 1, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating and an earlier effective date are denied.,The earliest possible effective date of August 1, 2011, for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted. An earlier effective date is not warranted as there is no evidence of record that could be construed as a claim prior to this date.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and hypertension. The claim for service connection for PTSD is still pending as new evidence was submitted but does not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 10 percent prior to September 19, 2012 and at 30 percent thereafter. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD, the highest available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively, and impaired impulse control.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed as he has withdrawn them.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is etiologically related to his active service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with a 30% rating effective July 14, 2010. The effective date is set at one day earlier than the liberalizing law went into effect.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and an adjustment disorder with anxiety, resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. However, there was no evidence of reduced reliability and productivity or deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and relationship of his current psychiatric disabilities to service. The effective date issue regarding the lumbar spine disability will also be addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment prior to April 18, 2012. The Board found the evidence of record does not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing to be conducted at the RO before a member of the Board or via videoconference.

The Veteran's PTSD does not result in total occupational and social impairment, and his service-connected disabilities do not make him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment. Therefore, the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for PTSD or TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to September 17, 2015, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, a right knee disorder, and hypertension have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for osteoporosis has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for increased ratings for the thoracic spine disability and major depressive disorder remain in appellate status.