PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeal for right knee and left knee disabilities. Service connection is granted for PTSD, with a rating of 10% effective as of March 20, 2009.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, paranoid schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety, began during service and has been granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and SMC based on housebound status. The decision also noted that there was no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for chronic tonsillitis and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 24, 2015. The rating for his right TKR remains at 10 percent from April 14, 2016. His tinea corporis with eczema is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in unemployability due to the severity of his symptoms, including irritability, poor concentration, sleep problems, and difficulty maintaining personal hygiene and relationships at work.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, ischemic heart disease (diagnosed as coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation), PTSD, peripheral vascular disease due to service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II, and diabetic nephropathy due to service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II. The Veteran's vision problems are not considered a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD are currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported stressors are not credible and did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of supporting evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, right knee disability, and tinnitus. The claim to reopen service connection for a right hand disability was also denied. No new rating decision has been issued since these decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 50% from September 2, 2005 to May 14, 2008 and at 70% thereafter. The Board found that the symptoms warranted a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 15, 2009. The Board found that a TDIU is warranted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher than 50 percent rating for PTSD, and determined that the Veteran's service-connected disability did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD has been denied since January 26, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran was able to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as an auto detailer.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms as described in the rating criteria. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has been granted, and the issue is dismissed due to a complete grant of benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, but his claim for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, is related to his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board has found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.