PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent prior to August 1, 2013. Effective from that date, the rating was increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The issues of service connection for left and right knee degenerative joint disease, as well as TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, are also addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 50 percent since February 27, 2006. The Board found that the symptoms warrant a higher rating to 70 percent due to occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent disability rating for the period from September 1, 2007 to September 16, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD was not productive of total occupational and social impairment as due to such symptoms as gross impairment in thought processes or communication, grossly inappropriate behavior, intermittent ability to perform activities of daily living, disorientation to time or place, or significant memory loss. As a result, the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the Veteran's PTSD, effective from the date of service connection. The Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to February 3, 2006 is denied as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable during this time.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise with regard to whether the Veteran has PTSD as a result of his military service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, has been characterized by impairment of memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing effective social relationships. The Board determined that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not demonstrate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA Vocational Rehabilitation records and an addendum opinion from the April 2016 VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video-conference hearing due to his request and current circumstances.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that a timely NOD was not submitted following the June 2010 denial and that new and material evidence was not submitted within the applicable appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma.,The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service stressors and granting the benefit of doubt.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying his reported stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% prior to February 15, 2011. The VA granted a higher 50% rating for the PTSD effective as of March 10, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Morning Reports from the Veteran's active service units and reviewing accident reports at a U.S. Air Force Base in Germany.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and dysthymic disorder, that is etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, are related to his service. The claim for hypertension is also granted as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder.