PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling, and tinnitus, rated at 10 percent disabling, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been manifested by total social impairment or symptoms equivalent in severity to a 100 percent rating, and the Board denies an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has rendered him totally socially and occupationally impaired, warranting a 100 percent schedular rating from June 28, 2011 to November 17, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disability, including sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD or exposure to Agent Orange, was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for headaches and PTSD, but granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for a back disability and sleep disability, to include as secondary to PTSD, have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was not manifested by total occupational and social impairment prior to April 29, 2015. From April 29, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD has not been manifested by total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding an in-service personal assault and requests for private mental health treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was not manifested by occupational and social impairment, with reduced reliability and productivity due to the various symptoms such as flattened affect, frequent panic attacks, actual suicidal and homicidal considerations or significant memory impairment prior to December 20, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a new VA examination to address his psychiatric and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is dismissed due to the failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to October 22, 2014 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 30 percent. Since October 22, 2014, her PTSD was not manifested by total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcohol dependence is rated at 70 percent disabling since October 16, 2013. The effective date for the TDIU rating remains October 16, 2013.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include depression. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran is entitled to an additional level of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including T12 paraplegia and loss of anal and bladder sphincter control.

The Veteran's appeal primarily concerns ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, GERD, neck and low back disabilities, radiculopathies, acne scarring, circumcision residuals, and chicken pox. The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to increased ratings in some cases but not others.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to include obtaining his VA treatment records, SSA records, and counseling center records. A VA psychiatric examination will also be scheduled.