PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis, sleep apnea, and posttraumatic stress disorder are all attributable to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to clarify the Veteran's stressor events and attempt to corroborate them, as well as provide appropriate notice regarding PTSD claims based on personal assault.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for vertigo or Meniere's syndrome and PTSD have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including a new VA examination for PTSD. The issues of service connection for loss of use of the left hand as secondary to PTSD, rating for PTSD, SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis secondary to diabetes was denied. His PTSD claim resulted in a grant of an initial rating of 70 percent, effective from January 28, 2010. The TDIU claim was denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria prior to September 15, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed stressors could not be verified and his statements were inconsistent. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's psychiatric conditions are more likely related to personal trauma, such as a mining accident and loss of his father, rather than service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, including a need for another VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities and insomnia are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent since June 22, 2015. This rating reflects the severity of his symptoms which include anxiety, depression, and panic attacks occurring about two times per week.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor and insufficient medical evidence linking current symptoms to military service.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to her service-connected PTSD and left knee osteoarthritis, with a combined disability rating of 80 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and in-service psychiatric treatment records. A VA examination is also required to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder had its onset during service or is related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from May 17, 2010. The Board finds that the overall social and occupational impairment caused by the Veteran's PTSD most nearly approximates impairment warranting a 70 percent evaluation throughout the period at issue.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective since February 24, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his acquired psychiatric disability and its impact on his employability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to confirm the claimed stressor and obtain relevant personnel records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and tinnitus was denied. The Board found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and the VA examiner did not find a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors. However, the Veteran's credible statements regarding the onset and continuity of his tinnitus were considered sufficient to grant service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the current level of severity of his PTSD and any related psychiatric disabilities.