PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has granted service connection for pancreatitis and PTSD, with a rating of 70 percent for PTSD. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at April 3, 1998.

The Veteran is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include GAD with depressive features, but the effective date remains at February 18, 2014.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is due to his active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, notably his TBI residuals, have manifested in loss of use of both feet. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether he meets the criteria for an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and authorization to obtain Redmond Park Hospital records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD is not manifested by total occupational and social impairment, due to associated symptoms at any point during the appeal period. The Veteran was employed through most of the period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since April 16, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus were rated at 70% effective May 9, 2011. The TDIU was granted from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to questions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The issue of reopening a claim for migraine headaches is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, as well as his liver disorder, are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need to verify his duty assignment on June 23, 1987 at Fort Hood, Texas with the 489th Engineer Battalion. The Board will seek clarification of this information in order to determine if he witnessed a helicopter crash that may have contributed to his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as he does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD consistent with DSM criteria.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, not including PTSD, to include anxiety, cognitive disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, depressive neurotic reaction and major depression recurrent with psychotic features, claimed as secondary to a service-connected right elbow disability is denied. The Board finds that the in-service stressor has not been verified.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the appeal is for a higher rating. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim and needs to be addressed as well.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and failure to obtain unit records for the Veteran's temporary duty assignment. The Veteran is entitled to a VA psychiatric examination if his claimed stressors are corroborated or credible.

The Veteran's PTSD with encephalopathy associated with generalized seizures secondary to methane intoxication was rated at 70 percent from April 29, 2008 to September 12, 2012.,For the period prior to April 29, 2008 and after September 12, 2012, a rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD and his ability to work due to service-connected disability. Additional examinations are needed, as well as updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.