PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as near daily panic attacks, neglect of personal hygiene, anxiety, sleep disturbances, flashbacks, concentration problems with an effect on his memory, isolative behavior, conflicts with co-workers and supervisors, depression, intrusive recollections, anger, social withdrawal, loss of interest, difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships, hypervigilance, and lethargy. The Board finds the disability meets the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 30 percent rating, and the Board finds that this level of disability does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric condition related to service, specifically PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding of an in-service stressor and the VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's anxiety is due to malingering.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 17, 2009. The rating is based on the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The remaining issues have been referred for further development.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and MDD) were denied as there was no evidence to support service connection. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition in service or during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his hypertension, service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, and herbicide exposure.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and conduct a VA examination. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from October 1, 2008. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s symptoms more closely approximated impairment resulting in reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will handle any further development as required.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and left eye blindness were denied in an April 2002 Board decision. No new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent for limitation of extension, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was characterized as encompassing any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and records, as well as obtaining SSA disability benefits information.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression have been rated at 50 percent since January 12, 2011. The initial rating has now been increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 2, 2008. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of a valid diagnosis. The claim for reopening the skin cancer was opened but not decided, as it is still pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent.