PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since November 9, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as his disability only caused occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his service-connected PTSD. The issues of entitlement to an increased disability rating for PTSD and TDIU are intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted and assigned a 70% evaluation effective February 16, 2017. The appeal for an earlier effective date remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, pes planus, hepatitis C, and PTSD were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as his reported stressors are consistent with his military service and he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, but finds that there is no evidence of a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of his coronary artery disease and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD. The case will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, and the claim is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in disability nearly approximating occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms of anxiety, depressed mood, anger, irritability, hypervigilance, nightmares, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board found his disability picture most nearly approximated the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the current claim on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed the appeals as they are no longer in contention.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,From October 21, 2010, the Veteran is entitled to a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted.

The Veteran's PTSD does not result in total social and occupational impairment, thus the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted as service-connected.,Service connection for pain in joints, a blood disorder, and PTSD has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to December 4, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 17, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that there were no unadjudicated claims and that the appeal of the August 2006 RO rating decision had not been perfected.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for PTSD and a right shoulder disability, finding that February 7, 2012 is the earliest date entitlement arose.,The Board also found that February 7, 2012 is the earliest date for which service connection could be granted due to the appellant's original claims being denied in November 1994 and not appealed within one year.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his Social Security Administration records.