PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating effective January 10, 2011. The TDIU was granted prior to the initial increase in disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and clarification on whether he wishes a Board hearing.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric conditions, which she claims are due to military sexual trauma. The case has been remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, adjustment disorder, and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's current right knee strain is related to his in-service right knee injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DM, PTSD, and a back condition. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for DM.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to May 20, 2015. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent disability rating.

The Board found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for PTSD, tinea pedis, and diabetes mellitus. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against the finding that these conditions are related to service.,Service connection was denied for sleep apnea as there is no credible supporting evidence that the Veteran's condition is related to active service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since September 2, 2010.,Since August 25, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD has not met or approximated criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The issues are whether he should receive an increased rating for PTSD and dysthymic disorder, and if so, prior to August 4, 2016, whether he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with cognitive disorder is rated at the highest available level (50%) and his TBI with memory loss is rated at 10%. The other conditions are rated appropriately based on their severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, were aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, but his left ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disabilities are denied. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Board has ordered an addendum opinion to assess the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The claim is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, headaches, and recurrent bartholinitis with a scar) preclude her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 70 percent from August 21, 2015. He also received SMC at the housebound rate effective September 22, 2010.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a bilateral elbow disorder as well as PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his post traumatic headaches and major depressive disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The evidence does not show that his symptoms meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, and alcohol/drug abuse disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type has not been shown to be etiologically related to his active military service.

The Veteran's hypertension and mood disorder with PTSD have been granted initial evaluations, but the hypertension has only received a non-compensable rating prior to June 7, 2016, and a 20 percent rating thereafter. The mood disorder with PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent from March 7, 2008, to July 5, 2009, and increased to 70 percent thereafter.