PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected psychoneurotic disorder with anxiety, depressive features, and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and diagnosed as depression and generalized anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to verify a reported in-service stressor and to obtain a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, and his acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD are not related to service. The diagnosis of PTSD is denied, while depressive disorder NOS and alcohol abuse are granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to active duty service and grants this claim. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to March 30, 2016 did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms were within the scope of the current 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD with alcohol dependence. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated in light of any new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to January 28, 2015 and 50 percent thereafter. The lumbosacral strain is rated at 10 percent prior to February 2, 2015.,PTSD: The Veteran has occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but not occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. Lumbosacral Strain: The Veteran does not have forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to February 21, 2014 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not meet or approximate criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that the earliest possible effective date is March 27, 2012, when the Veteran filed his initial claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection in September 2012. The rating was increased to 50 percent effective October 30, 2014.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and finds that there is sufficient evidence in the record to establish a link between the Veteran's service and her PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is therefore granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and records to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions and whether he has a bilateral hand disability secondary to his service-connected autonomic neuropathy.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as depressive disorder, is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to October 10, 2013 due to the schedular criteria not being met. The claim is now remanded for consideration on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD has been granted a rating of 70 percent since January 23, 2006. The Veteran is also found unemployable due to his service-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is not considered a separate disability and was denied service connection. Service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted.

PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, is rated at 50 percent prior to March 30, 2016 and at 70 percent thereafter. CAD is rated at 60 percent prior to January 1, 2015 and at 30 percent thereafter.,PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, has been granted a higher rating from March 30, 2016 onwards. CAD remains at the same level of disability.