PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective June 9, 2004. The Board found that the appropriate date for his claim was June 9, 2004, when he requested to reopen his service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and alcohol dependence is denied as there is no verified stressor, the diagnosis of PTSD does not meet the criteria for service connection, and his alcohol dependence was due to willful misconduct. The claim for a compensable disability rating for onychomycosis of the bilateral feet is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not caused total social and occupational impairment, warranting a rating in excess of 70 percent. The current rating of 70 percent is appropriate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for GAD and PTSD, finding that his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran was assigned a 30 percent rating effective from August 22, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so a determination on TDIU will be deferred until the increased evaluation claim is resolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, verifying reported stressors, and scheduling a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder(s) and bilateral foot disorders.

The Veteran's right testicle disability was rated at 10 percent from December 12, 2008 to August 19, 2013. From August 20, 2013 onwards, the rating was increased to 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that there are missing private and VA outpatient treatment records pertinent to the Veteran's claims. The case is REMANDED for obtaining these records.

The Veteran's PTSD with mild depression has been rated at 70 percent since February 3, 2012. The Board also granted a TDIU from November 1, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% from April 6, 2010 to July 7, 2011 and increased to 50% since July 8, 2011. His right foot disability was initially noncompensable but later assigned a 10% rating starting from July 8, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify in-service stressors and obtain a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD, render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to severe impairment in work functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD and uncontrolled hypertension, which were service-connected, aided in causing his death from a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been manifested by depression, anxiety, panic attacks, irritability, persistent nightmares and flashbacks, sleep disturbance, and diminished interest in activities. Throughout the period on appeal, the Veteran's service-connected PTSD symptoms more nearly approximated a disability picture manifesting psychiatric symptoms causing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to May 2, 2014 and increased to 70 percent from that date. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU prior to May 2, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD and IHD) preclude the ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims and reviewing certain treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been shown to be productive of occupational impairment and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood due to symptoms not adequately contemplated by the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation. The Board grants a 70 percent rating for PTSD.