PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further information and compliance with duties to notify and assist. A VA examination will be conducted to assess the Veteran's functional impairment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been manifested, at worst, by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board found that the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing the Veteran's service personnel records.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50% effective April 29, 2015. Prior to that date, the rating is 30%. The Veteran does not have service connection for left eye pain or right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent prior to December 31, 2014 due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 19, 2009 for the award of a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, that is related to his military service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU effective from July 20, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective May 27, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms of his PTSD meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating but granted only the current 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to technical issues with the transcript of his October 2016 hearing. He wants another videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since July 28, 2010. The Board granted a higher rating of 50 percent for PTSD effective from the date service connection was established (July 28, 2010). However, TDIU is denied as his combined disability rating does not meet the criteria for a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, hygroma (claimed as fluid on the brain), deviated septum, sleep apnea, PTSD and dysthymic disorder has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder and excluding PTSD, was granted. For the period from January 7, 2011 to October 6, 2011, the initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was assigned as 10 percent.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a new VA psychiatric examination to assess his current level of PTSD severity.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle strain disability is considered service-connected. The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized as PTSD with anxiety disorder and major depression, meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating but not higher.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD and service connection for hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to September 19, 2015, or to a rating in excess of 70 percent thereafter for PTSD. For hypertension, there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding private treatment records from Dr. D.A.S.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disability and acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of their onset or worsening during her military service. The VA examiners have provided opinions against these claims.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric condition. The June 2016 VA examiner found that the Veteran suffered from a major depressive disorder, but not posttraumatic stress disorder. The case is REMANDED for additional development.