PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to January 26, 2010. The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as there is a link between his in-service stressor and current symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, which reflects the need for restricted diet and oral medication. The issues of service connection for hypertension, evaluation of pseudofolliculitis barbae, and PTSD prior to March 3, 2004 are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran is seeking an initial increased disability evaluation for PTSD, prior to November 26, 2013. The case has been remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted with a 70% disability rating from November 17, 2006 to January 2, 2007 and again from March 1, 2007 to November 11, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating during these periods.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service and exposure to nuclear weapons in a missile silo.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective December 2, 2013. The RO granted an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction on March 14, 2013.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD with alcohol abuse is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified depressive disorder or mood disorder NOS, may be related to his in-service physical and sexual assault.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and adjustment disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Veteran's reported in-service stressors were not supported by contemporaneous medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and sleep apnea, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for PTSD prior to December 3, 2013 and from that date was denied. The disability picture associated with the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to December 3, 2013, and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent since December 3, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is not shown to have been incurred in service or otherwise be the result of service. The combined rating for his service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records and conduct a VA examination. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 19, 2005 due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board has found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's PTSD, diagnosed based on his combat service in Iraq, is granted. His respiratory disorder (COPD), chronic nosebleeds, sleep apnea, and skin disorder are not found to be related to service.