PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for TDIU on a schedular basis prior to August 14, 2008 and remanded the claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU on an extra-schedular basis. The Veteran's claim was received on August 14, 2008, thus the relevant period begins one year prior to that date. However, there is no evidence of a date on which there was an increase in the Veteran's disability resulting in his unemployability during the relevant time period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to work prior to May 6, 2014. The appeal is now pending again with the AOJ.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and depression. The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to in-service stressors or caused by service.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to July 12, 2009 was manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. On and after September 1, 2009, the disability was manifested by deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, social avoidance, and hyperarousal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with adjustment disorder with anxiety is not currently manifested by symptoms that more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to January 13, 2015. From January 13, 2015, the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 9, 2005. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied his claim for an increased rating and also denied entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU, as well as the competent and credible evidence of record being at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and mood disorder, including depression, are caused or aggravated by his service. However, there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for residuals of a head injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on either a schedular or extraschedular basis, as his combined rating is less than 70% and he does not have one disability rated at least 60%. The Veteran's inability to work is attributed to nonservice-connected hydrocephalus.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 20, 2015 is being remanded due to the failure to refer it for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and hypertension has been granted, with the PTSD being secondary to his hypertension. The initial rating for hypertension remains at 10 percent. Service connection for depression is also granted as secondary to hypertension. However, TDIU is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent disabling prior to December 22, 2016 and is currently rated at 70 percent. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD is granted, but he does not meet the criteria for service connection as there is no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and an opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault, and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded for further development.