PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 21, 2010. Effective that date, the Veteran is granted a TDIU (Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability) due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD and anxiety, has been rated at 70 percent since December 13, 2013. The rating is based on the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating under DC 9411 (PTSD), which requires occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or an in-service injury that could be linked to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective August 6, 2014. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and acquired psychiatric disability are not etiologically related to service, specifically an in-service stressor involving a helicopter crash during the hostage crisis. The weight of evidence supports finding that his current mental health conditions are more likely due to civilian traumas.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since the effective date of service connection, resulting in a total disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and personnel information, as well as for a new VA audiological examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU from July 1, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not result in or more nearly approximate deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder or back disability related to service. The claim for peripheral vascular disease is also denied as there was insufficient medical opinion regarding aggravation by seizure medications.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to his active duty. For PTSD, the initial rating prior to January 9, 2015, and staged ratings from that date were also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent for the period from February 2, 2001, to November 27, 2006. For the period since November 19, 2015, a higher rating is denied as his symptoms do not warrant such an increase.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased schedular rating for PTSD and an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 50 percent rating, finding that his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for hepatitis C prior to the Board's decision. The case is being remanded for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected and contributed to his death by suicide, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to February 13, 2017.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as her service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from obtaining and maintaining employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a mental illness or psychosis for the purpose of establishing eligibility for medical treatment only pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1702 were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service stressors.