PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and MDD are related to his in-service stressors, including witnessing a racially motivated assault on a fellow service member. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to January 11, 2016. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent is denied. For the period after January 11, 2016, a 100 percent rating has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and whether his current adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood was onset during active service or related to it.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded substantially gainful employment from July 1, 2007 to September 16, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claim of TDIU due to PTSD on an extra-schedular basis prior to August 29, 2007 is being remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the case for further development and a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, was not caused or aggravated by any aspect of service and did not manifest during service or within one year of separation.,The presumption of soundness is rebutted and the Veteran's left hip disability pre-existed his November 2002 active duty service.,The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia patella degenerative changes, was not caused or aggravated by any aspect of service and did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service.,There is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder that had its onset in service, manifested within one year of separation from service, or is otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective December 17, 2009. His hearing loss and tinnitus are separately rated.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since the entire appeal period, effective from May 8, 2010.,The Veteran has been granted a TDIU rating since January 17, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent prior to November 30, 2012 and increased to 30 percent effective November 15, 2010.,As of November 30, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD warranted a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and Depressive Disorder, are at least as likely as not caused by or related to his service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, and chronic sleep impairment. The Board finds that the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating are met.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating for this condition. The VA examiner found that his PTSD caused mild occupational and social dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his lower extremities, including whether they have resulted in loss or use of one or both feet.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to assess the current manifestations of PTSD and any separate psychiatric disorder. The AOJ will also determine if TDIU on an extraschedular basis can be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD and low back injury residuals were not timely filed, resulting in their denial. The effective dates for these conditions have also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not make him permanently bedridden or unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Veteran does not have a single service-connected disability rated 100 percent with separate service-connected disabilities ratable at 60 percent or more, nor is he permanently confined to his immediate premises as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including locating and associating articles submitted by the Veteran at a previous hearing with his electronic VA record, and obtaining an addendum opinion from the July 2016 VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities. The issues include seeking an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU.