PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of new evidence and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and after considering the evidence of marginal employment prior to April 19, 2007, the Board grants TDIU effective September 30, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 5, 2015 and his claim for an increased rating for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are both pending. The TDIU claim is granted effective October 5, 2015, while the PTSD claim remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion from an appropriate VA examiner to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employment. The claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if any psychiatric disability present since 2009 is caused or aggravated by events in active service. The Veteran's correct mailing address must be verified and he should be notified of the re-scheduled examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of a stressor and thus no diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran has been diagnosed with other conditions such as major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, alcohol dependence, malingering, and schizophrenia, none of which are linked to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted with an initial disability rating of 10 percent. Service connection for lymphoma due to ionizing radiation exposure is granted. Bilateral hearing loss is service connected and rated at 0 percent. COPD is not service connected. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is not service connected.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hepatitis claims are granted. The PTSD claim is dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective October 24, 2012. The symptoms include irritability, impaired impulse control (anger and unprovoked irritability), near-continuous depression, ongoing anxiety, mild memory loss, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, sporadic suicidal ideation, alcohol abuse, and sleep disturbances.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and obtain a medical opinion regarding his diagnoses of cognitive and mood disorders. The issue remains unresolved as service connection is not established.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since October 5, 2010. The effective date for this rating remains unchanged as the claim was received within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating since October 8, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and CAD. The Veteran will be provided with a VA Form 21-8940 to determine his level of education, special training, and previous work history.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.

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.