PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the Veteran's acquired general psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, did not begin during service or was otherwise caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The issues on appeal are whether the Veteran should receive a higher evaluation for his PTSD and if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a finding of both granted and denied aspects of this claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability in any of these conditions as per VA standards. For PTSD, the Board found that the Veteran's stressor was credible and linked to his military service. However, for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability and therefore, service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, or anxiety disorder cannot be established.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, which meets the criteria for TDIU. However, his other conditions (such as tinnitus) do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board videoconference hearing. He requested hearings on his claims of service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for arterial hypertension is moot due to its grant. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, PTSD, and allergic rhinitis have all been found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, eye conditions, coronary artery disease, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since December 7, 2010. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted throughout the appeal period based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all issues except the earlier effective date for PTSD. The Board is dismissing these claims as a result.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and PTSD. Diabetes mellitus is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Prostate cancer is also presumed as it is linked to the same exposure. PTSD is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,High blood sugar is not a separate condition but rather a symptom of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating since May 22, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is caused by his active military service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to September 17, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and additional treatment records. The examiner will determine if PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder is related to in-service stressors of seeing dead bodies while serving in Coast Guard search and rescue.

The Veteran's PTSD (previously diagnosed as panic disorder with agoraphobia and insomnia to include anxiety) due to sexual assault has been productive of occupational and social impairment, warranting a continuation of the 70 percent disability rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS has been rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The TDIU claim is also granted.