PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor and affords him the benefit of doubt, granting service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors or combat experience. The Veteran's personality disorder was found not to be a disease or injury for VA compensation purposes. There is no competent opinion linking any current acquired psychiatric disorders to service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision can be reached on the merits of the underlying claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a new VA psychiatric evaluation and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD is caused or aggravated by her service-connected migraines.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining VA treatment records and developing the claim of entitlement to service connection for heart disease. The hypertension issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with angina, gastroporesis, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, he is granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete examination opinions and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not result in a combined rating of at least 70% and do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since November 1, 2006, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by symptomatology more nearly approximating occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a disability rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right foot cuboid syndrome has been dismissed as the appellant, through his authorized representative, withdrew the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The other issues were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including depression), and a higher evaluation for spontaneous pneumothorax were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and assigned a 30% disability rating.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized as PTSD with marijuana use disorder, was initially rated at 30 percent from July 28, 2004 to February 25, 2010. Since then, the rating has been increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected due to lack of in-service onset or continuity, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to his service-connected diabetes or PTSD. The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was granted. The appeals on the other issues were dismissed due to withdrawal by the accredited representative.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive a higher disability rating for PTSD and if his TDIU claim has an earlier effective date.