PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder is rated at 70 percent since November 5, 2015. The Board also granted entitlement to a TDIU as of October 14, 2009.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The VA assigned a 50 percent evaluation for the condition effective July 17, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to her military sexual trauma during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and MDD are related to his in-service stressors, including witnessing a racially motivated assault on a fellow service member. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to January 11, 2016. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent is denied. For the period after January 11, 2016, a 100 percent rating has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and whether his current adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood was onset during active service or related to it.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded substantially gainful employment from July 1, 2007 to September 16, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claim of TDIU due to PTSD on an extra-schedular basis prior to August 29, 2007 is being remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the case for further development and a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, was not caused or aggravated by any aspect of service and did not manifest during service or within one year of separation.,The presumption of soundness is rebutted and the Veteran's left hip disability pre-existed his November 2002 active duty service.,The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia patella degenerative changes, was not caused or aggravated by any aspect of service and did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service.,There is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder that had its onset in service, manifested within one year of separation from service, or is otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective December 17, 2009. His hearing loss and tinnitus are separately rated.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since the entire appeal period, effective from May 8, 2010.,The Veteran has been granted a TDIU rating since January 17, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent prior to November 30, 2012 and increased to 30 percent effective November 15, 2010.,As of November 30, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD warranted a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and Depressive Disorder, are at least as likely as not caused by or related to his service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, and chronic sleep impairment. The Board finds that the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating are met.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating for this condition. The VA examiner found that his PTSD caused mild occupational and social dysfunction.