PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted, but the disability picture associated with his condition does not warrant a higher initial rating than 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 21, 2012. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from the same date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and CAD have been granted, with a rating of 50 percent for PTSD and 60 percent for CAD. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is granted, with the effective date set at June 18, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection. The hearing loss claim remains denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD attributable to his verified in-service combat-related stressors. The Board found that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety disorder) secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and bipolar disorder are related to his military service, with the in-service stressor being fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service in Saudi Arabia as an operating room specialist. Service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression is related to his military sexual trauma during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD, lumbar spine disability, hip and knee disabilities, and EDS of the right hand were evaluated. The appeals for higher ratings were denied as they did not meet the criteria for increased evaluations under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to a hearing not being rescheduled.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was received on July 12, 2004. She did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU at that time due to her combined rating of 40 percent. The Board found no evidence of unemployability prior to July 12, 2004, and thus denied an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, including as a result of Vietnam exposure, has been granted service connection and rated at 30 percent since July 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a staged rating of 30 percent (but no higher) from May 8, 2000, and 50 percent (but no higher) from April 17, 2009. The current effective date is May 8, 2000.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to November 6, 2006 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD due to military sexual trauma are being remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that service connection is not warranted for any other acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, as well as the requests for earlier effective dates, are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression symptoms resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's vertigo is found to be service-connected as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records from the Veteran's post-service employer, The Philadelphia Gas Company. This includes obtaining triennial physical examination records that may be relevant to determining the etiology of hypertension and any diagnosed psychiatric disability.