PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is related to his military service.

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

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to January 23, 2008. The Board granted an initial rating of 100 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood prior to June 10, 2013. A rating of 100 percent for PTSD was granted effective February 29, 2008.

The Veteran's major depression and PTSD were rated at 30 percent from November 5, 2005 to October 12, 2016. Since October 12, 2016, the VA has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective November 30, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 24, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity are more closely approximated by a 70 percent rating than a higher one.

The Veteran's right eye disorder, PTSD, TBI, headaches, and vertigo have been granted effective as of April 10, 2014.,An earlier effective date for these disabilities is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 1, 2009. The Board finds that the current rating of 70 percent adequately reflects the severity and symptoms of his condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with associated depression. The Veteran's PTSD with associated depression is awarded an initial rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran met the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD prior to February 28, 2014 and granted service connection effective October 22, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including a December 2015 evaluation from a psychotherapist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, did not have their onset in active service or are related to such service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found the Veteran's service connection claims for pancreatic cancer and PTSD were not supported by evidence of record, resulting in a denial.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including verification of alleged stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the claim for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain correctional facility treatment records and an opinion regarding the etiology of bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.