PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. Therefore, service connection for such conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, has been reopened. The VA examiners have provided opinions linking the current diagnoses to his military service, specifically his combat experiences in Vietnam. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as persistent delusions or hallucinations, gaps and lapses in orientation, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board found that the criteria for a 100 percent rating have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, a gunshot wound to the thigh, cold injury residuals of his feet and hands, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and granted a rating in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression. Service connection was denied for ED, GERD, OSA, a GI disorder, and a sleep disorder (other than OSA). The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, was denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and his diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge via videoconference. The issues include increased ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder, lumbar strain with degenerative changes, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD and alcoholism, is related to his active duty service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD or major depressive disorder linked to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, and social isolation, have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds a 50 percent rating is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board found that the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 28, 2005, and in excess of 70 percent from November 28, 2005 through March 11, 2009 were not met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete opinions and issues regarding service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a VA examination for PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran is found unable to obtain and sustain a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD and headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been manifested by total social and occupational impairment, so the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder with anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression was denied in January 2015, but reopened on February 2, 2016. The Board found that the effective date should be set at the date of receipt of the application to reopen (February 2, 2016), as this is when entitlement existed.