PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating since January 19, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete service department records and in-service stressor verification. The Veteran's PTSD claim is reopened, but new evidence must be provided before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 16, 1998 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a 100 percent disability rating for his PTSD throughout the entire period of the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas including work, family relations, thinking, and mood. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for PTSD and to ensure proper notice regarding the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorders have been rated at 50 percent since February 23, 2016. The effective date of this rating is May 2, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since May 1, 2013. The current rating is not higher due to the severity of his symptoms and his ability to maintain social relationships.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a vocational rehabilitation examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of November 3, 1997. The issue of DEA benefits is denied as there were no service-connected disabilities prior to December 19, 1996.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, but his other service-connected conditions do not significantly impact his employability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board finds that a chronic psychiatric disorder first manifested in service and continues since then. Therefore, the claim is granted.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia claim is denied as he does not have the diagnosed disability. The Board finds that his PTSD symptoms, which are already service-connected, cause his chronic body aches and fatigue.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue for an additional VA examination, and will be readjudicated after the examination is completed.

The Board has restored service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim for a back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is remanded as new evidence may support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA psychologist or psychiatrist regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his symptoms, including anger issues, cognitive negativity, and isolation from others.