PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying in-service stressors and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 50 percent from September 26, 2005 to June 13, 2010. From June 14, 2010 to June 11, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms were more severe and warrant a higher rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective March 16, 2009. The Board has determined that the earliest possible effective date for this award is October 27, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 3, 2016. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms and occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is June 27, 2000. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board has determined that the anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD warrants a 30 percent disability rating prior to June 22, 2012, and no higher. From June 22, 2012, the Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD warrants a maximum of a 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since January 17, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD has been denied as there is no current medical diagnosis of PTSD and the Board finds that the Veteran did not meet the DSM criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 14, 2016. For the period prior to that date, a rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain pertinent records and ensure the Veteran's claims are properly considered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant carcinoid syndrome, claimed as colon cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depressive disorder. The evidence received since the prior final denial is not new or material.

The Board denied the Veteran's spouse's request to increase the apportionment of VA disability compensation payments from $150.00, finding that imposing an additional amount would be an undue burden on the Veteran due to his significant debt and expenses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, tinnitus, coronary heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, are rated at a combined 80 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unemployable due to their severity and his limited education and work experience.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 29, 2015. From April 29, 2015, his TDIU claim was denied as his combined rating of 100% due to PTSD did not meet the additional criteria for a second disability rated at 60%. The Veteran's other service-connected disabilities (gastritis and folliculitis) do not meet this threshold.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected and he is currently rated at 70 percent for his PTSD. The appeal for a higher rating remains before the Board.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of January 31, 2003 for the award of service connection for PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus are denied as they were received on November 2, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a diagnosed condition related to an in-service stressor.