PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the beginning of the appeal period, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for PTSD and Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the representative requested to withdraw all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the appellant's SSA records, military dependent treatment records, and medical opinions. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and specific phobia, are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an updated examination for PTSD and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and consideration of both his PTSD claim and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to February 20, 2014, and for a rating in excess of 70 percent thereafter was granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated according to the criteria set forth in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The hypertension has been assigned a 10 percent rating, and the right and left ankle disabilities have each been assigned a 20 percent rating. The PTSD and MDD have been assigned a 30 percent rating effective July 28, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 10, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The primary issue remains whether he can establish service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board assigned a higher 70 percent rating for the period from February 23, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to in-service personal assaults, and her psychiatric disorders are related to this stressor. The left leg disability claim was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted prior to March 26, 2007. However, his duodenal ulcer disease remains rated at 20 percent and no higher.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and determine if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD was granted. However, his claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied as there is no causal relationship between these conditions and his in-service acoustic trauma.