PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's respiratory disorders (COPD and asthma) are not related to his active service, as they are more likely due to his history of smoking.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, qualifying for a 70 percent disability rating since October 14, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating for migraine headaches was granted with a 50% rating effective February 2, 2007. The claim for TDIU was also granted with an effective date of February 5, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective October 2, 2013. This rating reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment in work and social functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD is related to an in-service stressor, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his migraine headaches and heat injury residuals, have been granted. He is now rated at 70% for the latter condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to incomplete verification of a stressor event and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that his service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a disability rating of 30 percent prior to March 31, 2012 and 70 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is manifested by more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year; or a workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent. Therefore, a rating of 60 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board granted a 100% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia (previously evaluated as major depressive disorder with severe psychotic features) prior to October 22, 2014. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and anxiety, is denied because there is no credible evidence of onset during service and the stressors are not corroborated.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from August 9, 2007 to November 18, 2008. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating and denied both his increased rating claim for PTSD and his TDIU claim during this period.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD, major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety) has been manifested by symptoms resulting in total occupational and social impairment for the entire period on appeal.,Entitlement to TDIU prior to March 19, 2010 is moot due to the 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD, major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder disability or PTSD due to service, and his claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, chest pain due to undiagnosed illness, and reactive airway disease due to undiagnosed illness, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 25, 1999. Effective April 25, 1999, the Veteran was found unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further action on the issue of an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, which was granted with a rating of 50 percent effective June 9, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent, and his other service-connected conditions do not warrant higher ratings.