PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since July 1, 2009. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at July 8, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression NOS is related to his military service, including sexual assault during service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal of the claim of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer has been withdrawn. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right hip disability and benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 are addressed in this remand.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as an anxiety disorder, and for migraine headaches on a secondary basis to the acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of more than occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decreased work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress prior to June 14, 2012.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran did not engage in combat with an enemy or have a verified stressor related to his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU prior to March 25, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his PTSD symptoms are not severe and he is capable of working any job he is physically able to do.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with the DSM-V.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for unspecified depressive disorder has been denied due to a lack of evidence showing that his symptoms meet the criteria for such a rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's PTSD and TDIU claim. The Veteran will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case if his claims remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his combined rating is 100% and he already receives SMC for ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant a TDIU as they are rated at 100% for depressive disorder and PTSD, with no other disability rated at or above 40%. The Veteran is currently employed and the evidence does not support an unemployability based solely on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for his left shoulder disability and PTSD. The Board no longer has jurisdiction to consider these issues.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a psychiatric disorder that can be linked to service, and therefore grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include bipolar affective disorder, due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have developed as a result of his service in the Republic of Vietnam, and he has been granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 28, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to March 18, 2010 did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent.