PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment prior to April 1, 2009, but not from July 1, 2009 onwards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to March 3, 2014.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 15, 2011. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a mental disorders examination. The Veteran's service connection claim will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are related to his active service, specifically his combat experience in Korea. As such, the Veteran's claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased disability rating for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right orchiectomy, including numbness and scar.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, effective December 15, 2011. He is also entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcohol abuse/dependence was secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 22, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD causes deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms warrant this higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent required for a 100% rating.,PTSD has rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow a substantial gainful occupation since January 30, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, CAD, and ring finger fracture) rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 1, 2001 until May 12, 2003.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent evaluation prior to July 24, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, nightmares, irritability, isolation, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective relationships. The Board found that the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his service, including combat experiences in Korea. As a result, the claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding his ability to work based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and considering the Veteran's contention that his mental health deteriorated after he had to jump into the water to rescue a friend who had fallen overboard.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, PTSD, and tinnitus, did not render him unemployable as he had past work experience in a technical role that would have been unaffected by his symptoms.