PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed unspecified depressive disorder is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or depressive disorder, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there was no diagnosis of PTSD based on any claimed stressor or fear of hostile military activity and that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy. The evidence did not establish a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to November 13, 2012 was shown to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flashbacks, sleep disturbances, depression, hypervigilance, and occasional auditory hallucinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the current 70 percent disability rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities and issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's current PTSD is related to terrorist activity during active service, and the Board finds that all elements of service connection are met.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 2009, with no other conditions or issues receiving separate ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing to address both his claims for ischemic heart disease and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating prior to February 22, 2011 and beginning on May 1, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability have not progressed further as the appellant is deceased.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims related to service connection are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, resulting in mild impairment. The Board finds the Veteran's symptomatology most closely approximates a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including verification of service in Iraq and a VA psychiatric examination using DSM-V criteria. The issue on appeal is broadened to include any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to December 31, 2014 was productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse resulted in occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, intermittent panic attacks, unprovoked irritability, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish effective relationships. He was granted a 50% rating for this period.