PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 29, 2010. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms which include impairment of short-term memory; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining social relationships; slow motor skills; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances; sleep impairment; and anxiety.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since September 14, 2006. This rating meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence was initially rated at 10 percent and later increased to 50 percent. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD warranted a higher rating of 70 percent as of August 15, 2015.

The Board has determined that the March 2016 VA examination is inadequate and requires a new examination. Additionally, further development of evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100 percent from May 18, 1982 to May 29, 1991. The motion for revision on grounds of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the February 1, 1991 Board decision is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination to determine her current psychiatric diagnosis and its etiology. The TDIU claim is deferred pending resolution of the acquired psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his alcohol use disorder, as well as the severity of his PTSD.

The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from July 13, 2011. The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as unprovoked irritability, anger, constant or near-constant depression or anxiety, nightmares, social isolation, intrusive thoughts, suspiciousness, difficulty concentrating, mild memory loss, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and headaches has been denied by the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining additional VA treatment records from the Fort Lauderdale Vet Center. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD remains under review.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, but not to the point of total occupational and social impairment. The current rating of 70% is appropriate for this period.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of her psychiatric disorders, including PTSD related to military sexual trauma. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to corroborating the Veteran's PTSD stressor. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to verify whether Super Typhoon Joan impacted Subic Bay and schedule a VA examination if necessary.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but symptoms have not more nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent rating are met.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the May 2007 rating decision, thus the May 2007 rating decision is not final and is currently on appeal. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether he has PTSD and if it is related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since October 10, 2015 and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. Prior to this date, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent. From October 10, 2015 forward, the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships. Before this date, the Veteran's PTSD was characterized by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.