PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidentiary development due to a lack of hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy prior to June 10, 2011, in excess of 10 percent from June 10, 2011 to May 9, 2016, and a compensable rating thereafter. The Veteran's claims for service connection were also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his in-service stressor, and he is granted service connection for this condition. However, the back disability is not found to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service from November 28, 2000, to May 28, 2004, was discharged under Other Than Honorable (OTH) conditions due to misconduct. Therefore, this period of service is considered a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, heart disability, and arthritis of the bilateral knees are still pending.

The Veteran is found to be unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, type II, right below the knee amputation associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, PTSD, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, right foot ulcer, impotency, and amputation of the right third toe. The Board granted a TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in his PTSD disability rating is being remanded due to the need for a local hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA psychological examination and a more detailed description of the Veteran's work history.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date of service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder was denied as there is no basis to assign an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, panic disorder, depression, anxiety), and sleep apnea have been granted. The scar of the right breast is rated at 10%.,Service connection has also been established for anemia with a rating of 10%. A higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the disability rating for his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has dismissed the case.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records, clarifying employment history, and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claims for service connection for tinnitus and alcohol dependence (claimed as secondary to PTSD) have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for service connection due to incomplete records and further examination. The issues of service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, psychiatric disabilities, left hip, right hip, and right hand disabilities are now before the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to April 4, 2011 and increased to 70 percent effective April 4, 2011.,The Veteran meets the threshold schedular requirement for an award of TDIU benefits due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to PTSD was denied. The Board found that the current symptoms of PTSD do not warrant a higher rating, and did not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, chronic foot infection, and rheumatoid arthritis. The evidence now supports these claims.