PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depression. The Board finds that additional development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decision was made on the merits of any claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board has determined that a rating of 70 percent for PTSD is warranted throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with his occupational and social functioning, thus warranting a noncompensable initial rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 1, 2011. The Board finds that the symptoms of near-continuous panic or depression and neglect of personal appearance and hygiene more nearly approximate a 70 percent rating.,The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities including PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, degenerative joint disease of both knees, undiagnosed illness, left thumb fracture, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left heel bone spurs, residuals from a left great toe fracture, and costochondritis. The Board finds that these conditions preclude the Veteran from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and a left knee disability, preclude him from securing or maintaining gainful employment. As such, the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, low back disability, left hip and leg disabilities, headaches, right foot disability, and left foot disability. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen previously denied claims for right and left foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder is not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to January 15, 2016 and increased to 70 percent from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current sleep disorder or vestibular disorder related to service, and thus denied his claims for these conditions.,There is no evidence of a current vestibular disorder from within one year of separation from service. The examiner opined that the Veteran's vestibular disorder was not caused by service-connected diabetes mellitus or PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since June 2, 2005. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms do not render him unemployable and assigned a GAF score of 60.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting a PTSD examination to assess the severity of his service-connected condition, and addressing other psychiatric diagnoses. The TDIU claim remains inextricably intertwined with the increased evaluation claim for ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating for a disability of this type. The evidence does not support an increase in his disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 19, 2012. The symptoms have most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, especially in combination, are of a nature and severity as to preclude him from engaging in work. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting diagnoses and a need for an addendum opinion from the March 2016 VA examiner.