PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating from May 28, 2009 to June 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and requested ship's history of the USS Scorpion.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of his initial claim. The Board found that the severity level of his PTSD warranted this higher rating based on symptoms such as paranoia, intense or prolonged psychological distress, irritable behavior with anger outbursts, gross impairment of thought processes or communication, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The current 50 percent rating is appropriate.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, which renders moot her request for a TDIU based on the sole service-connected disability of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations for PTSD, atopic dermatitis, and bladder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol and substance abuse in long-term remission symptoms most closely approximated total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 70% disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, surgical scars, and right knee condition.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for sleep apnea, and TDIU. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for PTSD due to the Veteran's assertion of worsening symptoms since his last examination in 2015. Additionally, the issue of service connection for sleep apnea is now in appellate status as it was not previously addressed by the RO.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, hypertension, and an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD. The claim for alcoholism due to an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD is being remanded.

The Board denied a claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and conducting VA examinations to assess the Veteran's disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease remain on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and nightmares, have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The VA has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD prior to March 7, 2012.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at 70 percent since August 25, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of a claimed in-service stressor and clarification of the nature and etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating prior to May 10, 2011.