PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The low back strain rating remains at 40 percent.

The Veteran's asthma and PTSD have been granted service connection, but the effective date for the PTSD rating remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms of depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping due to recurring nightmares, intrusive thoughts, social isolation, and an average Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score of 58, resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Veteran was also found to be precluded from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records from Social Security Administration.

The Board found no evidence of a traumatic brain injury or acquired psychiatric disorder during service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 4, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee arthritis is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as difficulty handling stressful situations, mild anger, irritability, insomnia, and isolative behaviors. The Board found that the current level of disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to unsuccessful attempts to verify the Veteran's in-service stressors and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD and CAD were found to meet the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating, which is the current maximum schedular evaluation available.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is due to an in-service military sexual trauma (MST). The Board has found that the criteria for service connection have been met and granted her claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety) due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the in-service stressor allegation. The claim was reopened based on new evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence does not support a link between his current depressive disorder and service.

The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms prior to January 29, 2015, more nearly approximate a rating based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of residuals of a neck injury, claimed as 'military neck', also claimed as lymphoma. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pulmonary disorder is not related to his military service, and there is no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder including PTSD.,VA examinations have found no relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD, as the Veteran does not meet criteria for these conditions due to a diagnosed personality disorder. Service connection was also denied for left knee disability and left Achilles tendonitis.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated based on the severity of symptoms, with a staged rating since July 18, 2013. The TDIU claim was granted due to his service-connected PTSD.