PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for further development and potential reconsideration of the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and sleep disorder due to the need for further development. The Veteran's service records indicate potential stressors that may support a diagnosis of PTSD, but the VA examiner must provide an opinion on whether these criteria are met.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating prior to December 6, 2010 due to service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating. The cataracts claim remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and affording a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling for PTSD will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was aggravated by her second period of active duty service. The cervical spine/neck disorder and headaches were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's PTSD was characterized by total occupational and social impairment prior to May 12, 2015. The grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD has rendered the issue of entitlement to TDIU moot.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling, precludes him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar and anxiety disorder and claimed as anxiety and PTSD, is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's index finger of left hand, diagnosed as trigger finger, may be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has not been found.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to April 21, 2011 and from that date forward. The VA determined his symptoms did not warrant a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are service-connected, as is his tinnitus. His peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and asbestosis are not service-connected.

The Board determined that the Veteran's PTSD did not warrant a higher evaluation for any period, with an initial rating of 50% prior to July 3, 2012 and 70% thereafter.

The Veteran does not have a permanent and total service-connected disability, thus the appellant is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35 of Title 38 United States Code.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and polysubstance abuse disorder. The Board requested an expert medical opinion to address the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to the service connected low back or left knee disabilities. Further information is needed in this case.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, that was caused by his service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted on December 17, 2009. The effective date is set as the date of receipt of the informal claim rather than an earlier date based on when the disability arose.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. His coronary artery disease has been rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.