PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is as likely as not related to his active military service. The Board finds the Veteran's statements concerning the onset and continuity of his psychiatric symptoms credible.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating was found insufficient to meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's death was not due to service-connected conditions, and the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were not met.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the Veteran's PTSD and his in-service stressor. The appeal is now considered as if no final denial had been made.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent prior to March 17, 2008, and 70 percent thereafter. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 1, 2013. The effective date for the grant of a 100% rating for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the highest schedular rating available, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by chronic sleep impairment, memory loss and near-continuous panic affecting the ability to function independently. The Board finds that a 70 percent rating for PTSD has been met.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the cause of death (propoxyphene intoxication) is not considered to be related to VA treatment. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for propoxyphene intoxication is denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 30, 2008, for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU at any time prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, colitis, tinnitus, and vertigo with dizziness, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on this finding.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not demonstrate that his disability warrants a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and early cataracts have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, anxiety, panic attacks, marital problems, alcohol abuse, depression, flattened affect, sleep disturbances, intrusive memories, flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, loss of interest in activities, problems with short term memory, irritability and angry outbursts, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response. The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, or a low back disability. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD based on in-service stressors and there is no current diagnosed psychiatric disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical examinations and treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and mood disorder NOS, as well as obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.