PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol/cocaine use disorders have been rated at 50 percent since January 25, 2017. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms that cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain SSA records and readjudication of his claims.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed depression is not related to his active service or to any service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence has been rated at 70 percent since February 8, 2017. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, and polysubstance abuse disorder, is found to be related to his military service. His right knee disability has been rated appropriately.

The Veteran's appeal for reopening a claim of service connection for a left knee disability, an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, and an increased rating for PTSD is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his military sexual trauma during basic training, which is considered a personal assault. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, but his right knee strain and hypertension claims were denied. The initial rating for PTSD was granted at 30 percent.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent ratings for PTSD with depression, cannabis dependence, alcohol abuse in remission, and cocaine dependency in remission were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination to assess his current PTSD condition.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total social impairment. The criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent are not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment capacity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his PTSD and an updated TDIU evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend a scheduled hearing. His claims for service connection and increased evaluation are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from June 1, 2007 to December 2, 2011. The Board granted an effective date of July 1, 2007 for the award of Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment since May 13, 2011.

The Veteran's lumbar DDD/IVDS, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies, and PTSD were evaluated based on their respective symptoms. The appeals for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been shown to be productive of functional impairment that would warrant a higher rating than the current 70 percent assigned.