PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD due to his statement that an August 2014 VA examiner failed to accurately report his psychiatric symptoms. The remand also requires obtaining updated VA treatment records and adjudicating the claim in light of all evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported income and employment history.

The Board found that the Veteran's second period of service was discharged under Other Than Honorable conditions due to misconduct, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression was rated at 30 percent prior to June 10, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals regarding all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to inadequate VA examinations and further development is required.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for the period from April 15, 2007, to March 30, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board videoconference hearing. The issues include seeking higher ratings for low back strain, service connection for PTSD and migraines, left knee disability, and residuals of wrist fracture.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent prior to February 11, 2015 and at 70 percent beginning February 11, 2015. The claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a new VA examination to determine his current level of disability from PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected asbestosis and determine its impact on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. He is now entitled to a 70% disability rating for his major depressive disorder with alcohol dependence, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, circadian rhythm sleep disorder, and insomnia, has been rated at 50 percent since October 6, 2009. The disability is characterized by symptoms such as depression, chronic sleep impairment, and irritability without episodes of violence, which most nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder NOS prior to April 8, 2013, and a disability rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities; Meniere's disease; and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 13, 2008. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board finds that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD, which is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his intent to withdraw the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.