PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is likely due to in-service sexual assault, and thus grants service connection for PTSD. The decision also acknowledges Major Depressive Disorder as a related condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 70%, fracture of the left elbow rated at 10%, and degenerative arthritis of sacroiliac joint dysfunction and lumbar spine rated at 10%, do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis, an in-service stressor, and a link between the two.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings have been denied. The VA examiners found that the Veteran's PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Paranoid Personality Disorder caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the December 1991 rating decision, as the correct facts were considered at that time and the law applied correctly.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the applicable diagnostic code. The evidence shows occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as flattened affect, impaired impulse control (unprovoked irritability with periods of violence), neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty establishing effective relationships, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board finds that his symptoms and occupational/social impairment warrant this higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD existed at the time of his discharge in September 1979, and thus an effective date of September 22, 1979 is granted for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 3, 2009. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating are met and granted an initial 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest schedular rating available, but he is unemployable due to his service-connected psychiatric disability. The Board also granted a TDIU and SMC based on the Veteran's housebound status.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disability related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since the effective date of service connection, meeting the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder or seizures that are attributable to his service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to incomplete examination reports and failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher rating in either period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA and private treatment records, as well as obtaining any relevant records from Mather Air Force Base. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD and found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and myocardial infarction have been rated appropriately, with a total combined rating of 80 percent. The Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety disorder has been rated at 70 percent since March 31, 2016. Prior to that date, the disability was rated as 50 percent disabling.