PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hypertension, and degenerative joint disease with chondromalacia of the right knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is being remanded for further clarification on his current employment status.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this disability. The Veteran does not have any other service-connected conditions that affect his ability to work or socialize.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed schizophrenia did not manifest during service and was not caused by any in-service disease, injury, or event. The Board also found no diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria related to a verified stressor event.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to January 18, 2012 resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Since January 18, 2012, his PTSD has caused significant impairment with deficiencies in most areas including work, social interactions, judgment, and impulse control.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a joint VA examination by a psychiatrist and psychologist to address the severity of the Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder since May 2005. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability from October 5, 2009 is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the case to the Appeals Management Office for additional development due to incomplete records and a need to determine eligibility for substitution. The Veteran's PTSD rating remains under appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from September 7, 2010 to June 20, 2011 and at 50 percent beginning September 1, 2011. The claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disorder or acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) that is related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found insufficient credible supporting evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and thus denied service connection for PTSD. The remaining psychiatric conditions were also not supported by sufficient evidence.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to his military service and denied both claims for service connection. The cause of death was attributed to multiple conditions unrelated to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, as well as his renal disorder. The Board found no evidence of such conditions in service or due to service.,Service connection was also denied for tinea pedis and cruris, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, and mood. The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD with MDD beginning January 30, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disabilities found. The Veteran is also requested to provide information regarding his in-service stressors related to PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, previously rated at 30 percent prior to March 8, 2013, is now rated at 70 percent effective from March 8, 2013. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective March 14, 2013. This rating reflects the most severe impairment due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his symptoms align with DSM-5 criteria and are related to his combat experience in Vietnam.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder related to his active service, and therefore denies the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and updating the claims file with any new evidence. The Veteran is asked to authorize release of his private treatment records related to PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, a mood disorder, and major depressive disorder, due to a personal assault. The appeal is remanded for further development.