PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of all service-connected disabilities in combination.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities (PTSD, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder) are rated at 50 percent prior to June 18, 2012.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other diagnoses, had its onset in service or is otherwise due to service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, previously characterized as PTSD and now diagnosed as Persistent Depressive Disorder, is rated at 30 percent for the period prior to May 21, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia met the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU from March 5, 2012 to October 2, 2016. The Board found that his PTSD prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 27, 2008. The Board remanded the case for additional development and found that from January 22, 2017, the disability is productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective from February 27, 2014. The rating reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment in work and social functioning.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and that it does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The claim was also denied for secondary service connection as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment for the period from April 29, 2005, to April 19, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as he had been gainfully employed prior to June 10, 2005 and the evidence did not establish that his service-connected disabilities alone rendered him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but less than total. The RO granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 70 percent rating, and the Board finds that this evaluation adequately reflects his disability picture.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to December 31, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depression has resulted in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.,With reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, a rating of 70 percent is warranted for his service-connected PTSD prior to September 22, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete adjudication of service connection for depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, as well as unclear etiological opinions regarding PTSD. The Veteran's claims are referred back to the AOJ for appropriate action.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective April 4, 2008. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as it does not result in total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and certain hearing loss disabilities were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in accordance with VA regulations for PTSD, and the Veteran's other psychiatric diagnoses did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for the issues of service connection for hypertension, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to May 7, 2010, and entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 7, 2010. The effective date for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for left acromioclavicular separation was set at December 13, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board has found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the criteria for a noncompensable disability rating.