PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 21, 2011 is being remanded due to conflicting information about his employment status during that period. The Board needs further clarification on whether the Veteran was engaged in substantially gainful or marginal employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, due to a lack of verified in-service stressor and medical evidence linking any diagnosed psychiatric disorder to an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for updated VA treatment records from November 2013 to June 2014. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a wound to the back of the head, lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, sleep apnea, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and pes planus of the right foot was granted. The effective date is April 11, 2012.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial rating for mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease and the claim for a TDIU prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to September 17, 2014 and 70 percent beginning that date. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board granted a rating of 50 percent for PTSD effective June 24, 2009. The appellant was also granted TDIU from June 24, 2009 to December 4, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pending issue regarding the offset of disability pay, and other issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder, NOS was granted a 30 percent disability rating effective November 23, 2009. The RO increased the rating to 100 percent effective May 18, 2016.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 21, 1996 for the award of service connection for PTSD based on new evidence received in September 2006.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for PTSD, right hip arthritis, and a chest/lung disability. The evidence submitted since the final denial is new and material as it provides details of in-service stressors, injuries, or diagnoses that could potentially link current conditions to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(o) is denied as there are no separate service-connected disabilities that would entitle him to two or more of the SMC rates listed in subsections (l) through (n).

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU rating due to additional development of the record and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with nervous disorder was initially rated at 30 percent from February 21, 2008, and increased to 50 percent from December 9, 2010.,PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since the initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure there is a complete record upon which to decide the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing. The issues include seeking a higher rating for PTSD, reopening the claim of hip disorder, and TDIU.