PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate for adjudication purposes and a remand is necessary to obtain another opinion addressing the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is related to his active military service, granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to January 3, 2011 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The symptoms included depression, stress, nightmares, sleep impairment, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, irritability, loss of interest in activities, impaired concentration, hypervigilance, a hyper startled response, decreased socialization, and occasional panic attacks.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent prior to September 13, 2012. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board has granted a 70 percent rating for this condition. The Veteran also meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder with TBI residuals, to include cognitive disorder, have been rated at 70 percent since January 16, 2009. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in January 2010. Service connection is granted for bilateral wrist and ankle disorders but not for bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than depressive disorder), to include PTSD, prior to a Board decision. As such, the claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective September 15, 2010. The rating reflects total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, flattened affect, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, and a request for further investigation into an aircraft accident at Don Muang Airport (Thailand) in 1966.

The Veteran's acquired mental and cognitive disorders, NOS, residual of TBI have been rated at 50 percent prior to September 7, 2011.,Since September 7, 2011, the Veteran has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate the effect of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify an in-service stressor. The Board will attempt to gather additional information from the U.S. Army and JSRRC.

For the period prior to February 26, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. A 50 percent rating was granted effective February 26, 2009.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since the grant of service connection. The appeal for a higher initial evaluation was denied as there is no evidence that the current rating adequately reflects the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the effective date of service connection, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was found not to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation from October 29, 2007 to October 5, 2014. From October 6, 2014 onwards, his PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to a verified in-service stressor, and service connection for PTSD is granted. However, there is no evidence of current hepatitis or its residuals.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and anxiety have been reopened, but service connection has not been established. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with MDD has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.