PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's bilateral pinguecula and dry eyes were found to primarily manifest as eye dryness with intermittent visual difficulty, without any indication of disfigurement. The claim for a compensable initial disability rating was denied. For the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, the Board found insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was denied, as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, currently diagnosed as depressive disorder, is granted service connection based on evidence showing a link between the condition and service.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and the Board finds that service connection is not warranted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, previously rated as sleep disorder and claimed as PTSD, is currently rated at 70 percent prior to January 19, 2017. The rating has been increased to 100 percent from January 19, 2017, forward.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. The Board has determined that a rating of 70 percent is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for the period from September 3, 2014 to January 29, 2015.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is rated at 40 percent since March 9, 2017. The Board denied an extraschedular evaluation for the combined effects of diabetes and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to be incurred in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD and MDD, was granted a 70% rating effective May 3, 2016. Service connection for a right hip disability is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from September 19, 2016. The rating reflects significant impairment in social functioning and occupational productivity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to missing adjudicatory, evidentiary, and procedural documents. The case will be returned for a complete record review.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination using DSM-5 criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and found no evidence of service connection for a right or left knee disability. The issue of ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board also found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his combat experiences in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability claimed as arthritis, an initial compensable rating for residuals of a laceration of the right wrist, and an initial compensable rating for residuals of a stab wound to the abdomen. The appeal to reopen service connection for HIV infection was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to January 19, 2011. The symptoms did not cause deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not approximated the criteria for a higher disability rating, and thus his initial 50 percent rating remains in effect.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and for readjudication of his TDIU claim.