PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board dismissed the Appellant's claim for an earlier effective date than May 30, 1997 for a 100% rating for PTSD on accrued benefits purposes. The appeal was dismissed as there is no clear and unmistakable error in the March 2001 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of July 18, 2016. Effective from that date, the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to December 26, 2012 and 60 percent disabling since that date. The cervical spine disability was also rated at 20 percent prior to December 26, 2012 and 60 percent since then.,The Veteran's chronic headaches are currently rated as 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence has been manifested by occupational and social impairment, resulting in deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board finds that the disability picture is less than total, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of efforts to obtain relevant mental health records from Beaumont facility reported by the Veteran. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining these records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with a 50 percent disability evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination to determine whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity while on active duty. The claim will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors. The diagnoses provided throughout the appeal period included PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records from the Vet Center and R. Yates.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD from April 11, 1989 and for the award of nonservice-connected pension benefits from March 12, 1993.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and GAD is rated at 70 percent, effective August 16, 2005. The TDIU claim is granted as of the same date. SMC for statutory housebound benefits is granted beginning March 23, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the remaining claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The left ear hearing loss disability was not found to warrant a compensable rating, while the head injury with chronic headaches claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to TBI was also denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder has been evaluated as a single condition, resulting in a 50 percent disability rating. The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were both denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss due to the current level of impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private medical records, including those from Dr. Jabbour and VAMC Durham.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, which approximates the criteria for occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.