PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and extraschedular consideration for PTSD and dysthymic disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) after the hearing.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and provide the appellant with an appropriate VA psychiatric examination. The examiner is requested to determine if the appellant currently has any diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, and whether these conditions are related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling since February 26, 2009. The symptoms described are indicative of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between any claimed conditions and active military service.,No new effective date has been granted as no earlier effective date claim was filed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling since February 26, 2009. The symptoms described are indicative of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, with the diagnoses supported by medical evidence. The Veteran's claims are granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was primarily manifested by feelings of sadness, low self-worth, lack of motivation, anhedonia, difficulty concentrating, social isolation, reduced appetite, sleep disturbances, anger, and occasional suicidal ideation. These symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent prior to May 14, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent disabling, and the Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. Service connection is granted for cervical dystonia. The issue of heat exhaustion residuals and migraine headaches secondary to cervical dystonia are also addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to December 5, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since June 29, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was denied as there is no diagnosed PTSD. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, which she is already service connected for.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since March 27, 2017. Prior to that date, the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and depression, finding that his current symptoms are related to his military service in Beirut and Somalia.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a disability rating of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, that is related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of an in-service stressor and no other event, injury, or disease can be linked to the current condition.