PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and updated medical records. The TDIU claim will be deferred until the PTSD evaluation is resolved.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation prior to October 31, 2014.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the Veteran's undeliverable mail and potential incarceration. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating, and his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent from April 28, 2010, forward. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of no more than 50 percent prior to September 6, 2011 and a rating of 70 percent since that date. The Veteran does not have service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper or lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the claimed in-service stressor was not verified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stressors did not occur during service and have not been verified. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as he has a current diagnosis and the stressors are found to be credible.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available under the criteria for PTSD. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the current 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 3, 2008. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since April 28, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and awarded an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD, but no higher. The Veteran's symptoms of PTSD have been found to be moderate in nature, warranting the current 50 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and thus, service connection for such condition is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is not attributable to or related to service.,The Veteran's hernia condition, diagnosed as a hiatal hernia, is not attributable to or related to service.,The Veteran's kidney stones are not attributable to or related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted from April 17, 2006 due to service-connected PTSD and other disabilities meeting the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The effective date of December 31, 2009 is incorrect as evidence shows unemployability prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, left shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are therefore denied.