PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 23, 2016 is denied as his combined disability rating is now at 100% and he has a 100% rating for PTSD. The issue of TDIU from May 23, 2016 remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left leg disability, a right shoulder disability, and a right arm neurological disability. The Board found no current disabilities and insufficient evidence to support any diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and CAD disabilities alone do not render him unemployable, as he has been employed in various roles including customer service and bartending.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a higher rating of PTSD. The Board has dismissed the claim as a result.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and a back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to evaluate his current PTSD symptoms, as there may have been a material change in disability since the last examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by no more than occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas for the entire appeal period, due to such symptoms as suicidal ideation, impaired impulse control, obsessional rituals, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. A rating of 70 percent is granted from January 11, 2008 to May 4, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, posttraumatic stress disorder and depression (PTSD), and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted.,Initial ratings of 30 percent, 50 percent, 20 percent, and 40 percent have been assigned for PTSD, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, respectively.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with at most occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher initial rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD with alcohol and substance abuse and depression, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ due to a request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge, and the Veteran's representative wishes to proceed with such a hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board dismissed the Appellant's claim for an earlier effective date than May 30, 1997 for a 100% rating for PTSD on accrued benefits purposes. The appeal was dismissed as there is no clear and unmistakable error in the March 2001 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of July 18, 2016. Effective from that date, the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to December 26, 2012 and 60 percent disabling since that date. The cervical spine disability was also rated at 20 percent prior to December 26, 2012 and 60 percent since then.,The Veteran's chronic headaches are currently rated as 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence has been manifested by occupational and social impairment, resulting in deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board finds that the disability picture is less than total, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.