PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for PTSD and ED.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and his depressive disorder was not caused by or related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment, with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board determined that the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating are met.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to chronic sleep impairments, nightmares, depression, anxiety, mild memory loss, and intermittent suicidal ideations. The current rating does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed, including obtaining service treatment records and VA rehabilitation records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on the severity and impact of his symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which corresponds to Level VII in the right ear and Level V in the left ear. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records from Dr. NAO, as well as scheduling a VA examination for his nose and respiratory claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to address the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after all development is completed.

The Veteran's combination of service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II (including diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities), caused him to be unable to obtain and sustain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with mild symptoms, warranting a 10 percent disability rating from January 12, 2009.,As of December 1, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD caused more significant impairment, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for premature ventricular complexes from 30% to 10%, effective November 21, 2012, was proper. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further verification of a claimed in-service stressor event and for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted based on his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to March 7, 2008. The rating was granted as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues are whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his PTSD claim, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new evidence from a VA psychiatrist-examiner and records from the Autism Society of Minnesota. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and new and material evidence have been denied. The left wrist disability is not rated higher than 10 percent. Service connection for cold weather injuries, vision impairment, and an acquired psychiatric disability are not established. New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment, depression, anxiety, frequent and violent nightmares occurring several times weekly, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. As a result, the Board finds an initial rating of 50 percent is warranted for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of all current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending and will be reconsidered after the additional development.