PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD and asthma were granted initial ratings of 50% and 60%, respectively, effective June 30, 2006. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent disability evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD and IHD were not sufficiently incapacitating as to produce unemployability prior to May 29, 2013.

The Veteran is entitled to Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits at the 80 percent level due to his active duty service, but not higher as he was discharged for a mental condition that did not result from a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Methodist Healthcare in Memphis, Tennessee. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU will be reconsidered after any new evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating of 70 percent or above at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to a personal assault during basic training and granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, finding credible supporting evidence that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unemployable and incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The examiner will determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, claimed as secondary to PTSD, was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran is not entitled to an effective date prior to August 24, 2011 for the grant of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).,The primary reasons were that there was no medical evidence showing a direct relationship between the gastrointestinal disability and service-connected conditions or medication. The Veteran's combined disability rating did not meet the minimum schedular criteria for TDIU prior to August 24, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, and providing an addendum opinion from a mental health professional regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and updating VA treatment records. The Veteran is also required to complete a VA Form 21-0781a (Statement in Support of Claim for PTSD Secondary to Personal Assault).

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of no more than occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no link between his current symptoms and an in-service stressor. The diagnosis of PTSD is based on a history provided by the Veteran during service, which has varied over time.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The denial of the right knee claim is based on lack of evidence showing that the current right knee condition is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. For the psychiatric disorder claim, additional development is needed as the Board has not addressed this issue in its September 2015 decision.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional records and conduct a new VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, is not warranted as there is no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claims of combat involvement or verified stressors related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a disability rating of 30 percent effective August 3, 2009. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied.