PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion and a VA general medical opinion to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for PTSD was granted, and he is now receiving a 70% disability rating effective May 2, 2014. The TDIU claim prior to May 2, 2014, has been referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, is rated at the highest available rating of 50% due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions to address the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, back disability, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's right ring finger disability is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting unfavorable ankylosis and limited range of motion. The left knee condition remains at the lowest possible rating due to its current status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 15, 2008. The effective date for the TDIU award remains prior to October 16, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain the appellant's complete service personnel records, VA treatment records, and SSA disability benefits records. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and MDD are related to her military service, specifically her alleged MST. The claims for PTSD and MDD have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and HSV-2 are service-connected as they both began during her active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but there was a factually ascertainable increase in severity from May 24, 2013 to January 4, 2016 warranting an increased rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 28, 2008. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU are met due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a higher rating for his low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of alleged stressors and examination of the Veteran's current conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. The acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) including major depressive disorder is also found to be related to his back disability and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran has been found to have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, which the Board finds is related to his military service. Therefore, he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantial gainful employment, and the Board finds that his claim for TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 18, 2009. The current rating is in line with the severity of his symptoms as described by VA examiners and treatment records.