PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination to determine her current psychiatric diagnosis and its etiology. The TDIU claim is deferred pending resolution of the acquired psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his alcohol use disorder, as well as the severity of his PTSD.

The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from July 13, 2011. The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as unprovoked irritability, anger, constant or near-constant depression or anxiety, nightmares, social isolation, intrusive thoughts, suspiciousness, difficulty concentrating, mild memory loss, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and headaches has been denied by the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining additional VA treatment records from the Fort Lauderdale Vet Center. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD remains under review.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, but not to the point of total occupational and social impairment. The current rating of 70% is appropriate for this period.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of her psychiatric disorders, including PTSD related to military sexual trauma. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to corroborating the Veteran's PTSD stressor. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to verify whether Super Typhoon Joan impacted Subic Bay and schedule a VA examination if necessary.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but symptoms have not more nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent rating are met.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the May 2007 rating decision, thus the May 2007 rating decision is not final and is currently on appeal. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether he has PTSD and if it is related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since October 10, 2015 and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. Prior to this date, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent. From October 10, 2015 forward, the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships. Before this date, the Veteran's PTSD was characterized by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The case will be returned for further action after the hearing.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the feet has been granted service connection. For PTSD with depressive disorder, a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to September 8, 2011, and 70 percent thereafter is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to reschedule his hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, as there are inconsistencies in the service records regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and diagnoses.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and varicose veins of the left leg. As a result, these claims are dismissed.