PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 1997, and he is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for erectile dysfunction has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal with regard to these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since July 30, 2009. This rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination and opinion to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service, including claimed stressors consistent with the Veteran's Vietnam service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as secondary to his PTSD. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 15, 2003. The Board found that the evidence of record supported a finding of verified stressors and a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, with rapid cycling was denied as there is no evidence that he met all eligibility criteria on or before May 6, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to evaluate the etiology of his PTSD. The examiner will determine if there is any link between the Veteran's described in-service stressor and his current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to verify the Veteran's in-service stressful experiences and to obtain an updated VA examination regarding her psychiatric claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and PTSD. Service connection is now established for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and dysthymic disorder, finding that the Veteran's misconduct in illegally possessing PCP and threatening his life with a firearm caused his psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his reported in-service stressors are consistent with his fear of hostile military activity and have been confirmed by private mental health professionals.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from April 1, 2011 to include entitlement to a temporary total disability rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 from May 1, 2011 to October 1, 2011 was granted. The claim for TDIU is moot due to the grant of a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities, including diabetic nephropathy, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type 2, tinnitus, gastroparesis, and erectile dysfunction, are rated at 90 percent combined. The Board finds that these conditions prevent the Veteran from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD cause occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. The Veteran's migraine headaches are not shown to have been manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over several month periods.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is service-connected. The cause of death claim remains pending as further evidence or development may be required.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since June 9, 2005 and TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective May 20, 2013. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date is denied.