PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, make him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) are met.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 5, 2011 and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted for this period. The claim for TDIU prior to October 21, 2015 was denied as the Veteran had not yet met the criteria for unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for TDIU from October 21, 2015 is dismissed as a combined rating of 100 percent has been assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are not service-connected due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during military service. The acquired psychiatric disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's appeal seeking an earlier effective date for PTSD, and thus denies this claim. The appeals seeking a higher initial rating for PTSD and TDIU are dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 24, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation and granted an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be at least as likely as not related to her military service, and therefore service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference Board hearing. The claims will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, resulted from service. The Board finds that the Veteran has satisfied the first two requirements for establishing service connection and grants his claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted a 30 percent rating prior to November 16, 2009 and then upgraded to 50 percent thereafter. The claim for ischemic heart disease remains pending.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed ischemic heart disease is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a local hearing with the Decision Review Officer (DRO). The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and right ankle disability are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of her claims.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to August 1, 2013. However, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 50 percent at any time.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to March 14, 2014 was manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency. Beginning March 14, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by no worse than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to August 23, 2016. As of that date, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but he is currently in receipt of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability characterized by Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks.