PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has maintained employment in the past despite his mental health issues.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total impairment. The current rating of 70% is appropriate.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to warrant an initial disability rating of 70 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to August 12, 2014, and at 70 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment for PTSD during this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right or left knee disability, and there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD) related to service. The preponderance of the evidence fails to establish any such relationship.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and right shoulder disorder. The denial is based on a lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, as his education and work experience allow for less demanding business work.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, sexual disorder, and ADHD, more closely approximates an occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and normal conversation).

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to his psychiatric symptomatology, without more severe manifestations that more nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to allegations of clear and unmistakable error regarding effective dates for prior grants of service connection and current ratings for his disabilities. The issue of a TDIU prior to June 27, 2013 remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is not related to service, but has granted service connection for PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma (MST).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, consistent with his current 70 percent disability rating for the entire appeals period. The Board has determined that a higher disability rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, sleep disorder, ankle disorder, swelling of joints, and dizziness are also addressed.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the March 1973 rating decision that granted service connection for anxiety reaction, chronic with depression, conversion, and headaches. The January 2001 rating decision which changed the diagnostic code to PTSD under Diagnostic Code 9411 did not include a reference to headaches or assign a separate rating for them.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms such as sleep disturbance, depressed mood, and anxiety.,With reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, pes planus, and coronary artery disease, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted.