PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has granted an effective date of October 21, 2010 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was advanced on the docket and his informal claim for service connection for PTSD was received on that date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 and PTSD are service connected due to exposure in Vietnam. The psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also service-connected.

The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, specifically a sexual assault he experienced while in service. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD/depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The other issues on appeal were either denied or not addressed in this decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a VA mental health examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, CAD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The evidence received since the April 2003 decision did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and confirming in-service stressors. A new VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any present Axis I psychiatric disorders.

The Board finds that there is clear and convincing evidence that the Veteran was not gainfully employed at the time of the discontinuance of TDIU benefits, and thus restoration of TDIU from May 1, 2015 is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms during the appeal period resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating of 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Anxiety Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS), based on credible evidence of a grenade explosion during basic training. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran's current heart disorder is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection was denied for PTSD due to insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis under DSM-5.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and severe depressive disorder, is currently rated at 70 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected rhinitis and/or PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 8, 2016. From September 8, 2016, his PTSD manifested as occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent from May 3, 2011 to November 19, 2012 and at 50 percent from November 20, 2012 to June 11, 2016. Since June 12, 2016, his PTSD has been rated at 100 percent.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted since May 3, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 23, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD and associated depression have been rated at 50 percent since April 24, 2009. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms such as intrusive recollections, avoidance behaviors, sleep impairment, and anger issues.

The Board found the evidence against a finding that the Veteran has PTSD, and thus denied his claim for service connection.