PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to a military sexual assault he experienced during active duty. The claim was reopened due to new evidence of a stressor and diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent since November 23, 2010. The Board found that the disability picture approximated a 70 percent rating throughout the appeal period but not higher.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas but does not result in total occupational and social impairment. The claim for an initial rating of 70 percent is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD with major depressive disorder, based on credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor and the link between current symptoms and that stressor.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and found that his anxiety disorder with PTSD features is related to an in-service personal assault, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, right eye disability, and hypertension. The reasons were not provided in this decision summary.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) has been diagnosed multiple times in clinical records but not by VA examiners. An addendum opinion is needed to reconcile these diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of service personnel records, particularly concerning the Veteran's alleged service in Vietnam and Laos. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's PTSD is not productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, as required for a higher rating. The current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a 70 percent or higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD, finding that during the period prior to January 2014, his symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For the period beginning from January 2014, his PTSD did not manifest deficiencies in most areas of work, school, family relationships, thinking, judgment and mood.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left ankle muscle sprains was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the ankle in plantar flexion at more than 40 degrees or in dorsiflexion at more than 10 degrees. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the Veteran's combined disability rating and his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and ensuring that all requested actions have been completed.

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

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to a gastrointestinal disorder other than gastritis and duodenitis with hiatal hernia, and has also granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder other than gastritis and duodenitis with hiatal hernia. The Veteran's claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to March 18, 2014, and 50 percent thereafter. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused total occupational and social impairment prior to February 20, 2014. The Board grants a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic headaches, PTSD, and TBI were denied. The maximum schedular ratings have already been assigned for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by moderate social and occupational impairment, warranting a 50 percent disability rating since February 16, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent as of May 15, 2012. The rating remains unchanged.