PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 10, 2004. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 18, 2003 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment with nightmares, depression, anxiety, hyperstartle reflex, anger, and irritability. The Board found that these symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis as his employment experience has shown he is capable of engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and affording the appellant an opportunity for a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 15, 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas as required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 2007, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss, cervical spine disability, a skin disorder of the face and chin, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for eczema of the feet was also denied.

The Veteran asserts that he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, which he describes as PTSD, resulting from his 1991 service in support of Operation Desert Storm. The Board finds the Veteran's combat service is conceded and remands for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues include seeking service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and disorders, but the Board is remanding these cases due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disability, back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and left leg disability.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for various service-connected conditions has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a grant of increased disability ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 25, 2008. The Board finds that he is entitled to a higher rating of no more than 70 percent for PTSD throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and major depressive disorder was denied. The effective date for service connection for these conditions remains June 24, 2011.,The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date prior to June 24, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for tinnitus, an increased rating for right shoulder arthritis, and an increased rating for right ankle degenerative joint disease have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating of PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder prior to January 31, 2012. The Board dismissed the issue as withdrawn.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, are also on appeal.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under DC 5271.