PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further action on the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD; rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD; and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding his psychiatric conditions and left eye blindness. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the nature of the disability and its onset are unclear. For his left eye blindness claim, VA must determine if it was caused by or related to a December 2004 procedure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after all necessary actions are completed.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was found to be more consistent with occupational and social impairment causing reduced reliability and productivity prior to September 9, 2015. Beginning on and after September 9, 2015, the disability became manifested by psychiatric symptoms causing occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 16, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective August 19, 2015. The claim for TDIU prior to this date is still pending.

The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

The appellant's representative withdrew the appeal regarding an increased evaluation for PTSD prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, TBI, migraine headaches, loss of sense of smell, loss of sense of taste, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are not earlier than February 14, 2011.,The Veteran was granted SMC based on the loss of use of a creative organ with an effective date of February 14, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of claim. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity warrants a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of claim.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms increased significantly after learning of his daughter's murder, warranting a 70% evaluation from January [REDACTED], 2007. The criteria for a higher evaluation were not met at any time prior to that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD was adequately addressed by the rating schedule and did not meet the criteria for an extraschedular evaluation. The Veteran's TDIU claim on an extra-schedular basis prior to January 19, 2010 was also denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the original decision awarding service connection for PTSD was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus grants restoration of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent disabling from January 18, 2012 to March 10, 2014 and as 50 percent disabling beginning March 10, 2014. The claim for increased rating is denied.,For the period of January 18, 2012 to March 10, 2014, there was no evidence that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss had a Numeric Designation of X as per Table VI of the VA schedule of ratings. From March 7, 2014, the Veteran's left ear hearing loss has had a Numeric Designation of XI as per Table VI of the VA schedule of ratings.,The claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since July 21, 2014, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency.