PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of total occupational and social impairment for the entire appeal period, warranting a 100 percent rating. As his sole service-connected disability, the issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 11, 2012 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of coronary artery disease is granted and rated at 60 percent.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD with a depressive disorder is granted and rated at 50 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and eye disorder manifested by loss of sight, and these claims are reopened.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and eye disorder manifested by loss of sight, and these claims are reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bradycardia is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left renal cyst is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD or any other mental disorder related to his period of service. The Veteran's diagnosed sleep apnea and hypertension were also not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mental disorder is September 8, 2011. The Veteran's claim was received on this date, which is later than when he had been diagnosed with these conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, and major depressive disorder is granted due to the Veteran's credible testimony regarding her in-service sexual assault stressor. The evidence supports a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Chronic Widespread Pain, and Migraine Headaches are still pending.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of August 29, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent, effective from November 14, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a claim for increased rating for right knee tendonitis.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including panic disorder with agoraphobia) is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,The Veteran's residuals of a fractured nose to include sinusitis are found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board finds that a retrospective medical opinion is necessary regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his occupational functioning from July 2011.

The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of residuals of a vaginal injury other than an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for service connection for such condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need to verify a claimed stressor and conduct further medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his depressive disorder is not related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for psychiatric disability is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective July 15, 2010.,The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU effective July 15, 2010.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board has determined that the issue should be remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case on whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.