PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD with chronic depressive disorder has been rated as 50 percent disabling since the filing of his claim. The Board found that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on occupational and social impairment.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development due to the need for medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examination opinions and missing evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, by themselves or in concert, have not been sufficient at any time to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran died due to hepatocellular carcinoma, which was not service-connected. His PTSD did not cause his death.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but not total social or occupational impairment. The initial rating of 30 percent is granted for the period prior to February 6, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.,The Veteran's right leg condition and hearing loss claims are denied due to lack of medical evidence showing a current disability or connection to service.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as the claimed event did not occur during service, and there is no competent evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran asserts that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD, right knee disability, low back disability, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the left arm. The Board finds it necessary to remand the claim for a 'combined effects' medical opinion in order to sufficiently address the issue on appeal.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD, but denied the claim as there was no diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with VA criteria. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not linked to his active service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was also denied due to lack of a nexus between the disorders and service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 10, 2010, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted prior to December 4, 2013 and from December 4, 2013 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the local RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and the potential impact on his employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health records from service and VA treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is to be evaluated in light of her claimed stressors and pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since May 2, 2014. The Board finds a 100% rating is warranted for this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues and the need for additional evidence, including service treatment records and verification of periods of ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD features is currently rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating for this condition. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression was granted, effective October 10, 2002. The decision is based on the receipt of additional service department records that corroborated the Veteran's in-service stressors.