PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence and marijuana abuse is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not accurately depict the severity of his condition. The evidence shows occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms including chronic sleep impairment with nightmares; anxiety; hypervigilance; exaggerated startle response; suspiciousness; irritability and frequent outbursts of anger; impairment of short and long-term memory; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships; and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or a work-like setting. The Board concludes that the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since December 23, 2013. Prior to that date, the rating was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, finding that these conditions are as likely as not related to active service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for hypertension, headaches, bilateral tinnitus, hypothyroidism, and PTSD. The claims are based on secondary service connection in the case of hypertension and direct service connection for the other conditions.,Service connection is established for each condition listed above.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, anxiety disorder (NOS), finding that the Veteran's symptoms are causally related to his in-service experiences. The issue of entitlement to sleep apnea was not addressed as it had been previously denied and not readjudicated.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder related to service, and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for right ear hearing loss, a psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), or any neck disability. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, has been denied. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% effective September 24, 2010. The Board found that the increase in disability had not occurred earlier than this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease (IHD), hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied due to lack of exposure to herbicides in service and no current symptoms related to these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms that included difficulties in his depressed mood, re-experiencing his traumatic in-service stressors, including nightmares; anger and irritability; social isolation and avoidance; emotional numbing; and problems with memory, resulting in no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, as well as her eligibility for TDIU. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if any of his diagnosed conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 25, 2010. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating due to his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting conditions aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot fungus was denied. The Veteran's PTSD has been granted with a 50% rating since August 20, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 19, 2005, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, and Hernia, led to medical emergencies in December 2013 and November 2014. The Board found that the conditions were severe enough to warrant immediate treatment, and that no VA facilities were feasibly available for timely treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The case will be further adjudicated after these actions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of diagnosed PTSD. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD) is pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion.