PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent rating, effective December 2, 1998. The appellant's TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is now granted. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease are also found to be related to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the claim on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression are being remanded to allow for a VA examination and review of her treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not cause unemployability, and the Board finds that he is capable of performing sedentary employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is service-connected as it is linked to in-service personal assault and military sexual trauma.,The Veteran's residuals of a stress fracture of the right heel are currently evaluated at 10 percent. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and ensure all VCAA notice and assistance obligations are satisfied. The claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU will be reconsidered after the requested development.

From April 1, 2010 until June 13, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities from September 18, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to January 27, 2015 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest date of receipt of a reopened claim was June 22, 2010. The Board concluded there is no legal basis for an effective date prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD from September 28, 2005 to the present. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted a TDIU, with the Board finding that his service-connected disabilities are the cause of his unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling since September 29, 2016. The Board finds that the severity of his disability warrants this rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective February 25, 2008. The decision does not address his alcohol dependence.

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, type II from July 20, 2016. He also qualifies for TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a 100 percent rating. The Veteran's hemorrhoids were rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of various issues, including service connection claims and extraschedular evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion alleging CUE in their April 2013 decision, which had previously denied an earlier effective date for PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse. The Court vacated this decision and remanded it to the Board for re-adjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Court held that the scope of a claim includes any disability that may reasonably be encompassed by the claimant's description of the claim, reported symptoms, and other information of record.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder bipolar disorder, major depression with psychotic features, and PTSD. The case will be remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing.