PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his military service and stressors he experienced in the Dominican Republic.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension and/or PTSD. The claim for service connection for OSA as secondary to these conditions was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other unspecified depressive disorders. The evidence did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and no other diagnosed condition was found to be related to service.

The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for PTSD, which is total occupational and social impairment. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also granted, as he meets the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities. SMC at the housebound rate was also granted based on the Veteran's condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as additional development is required.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service stressor and thus, service connection for PTSD cannot be established. The acquired psychiatric disorder was also deemed to be unrelated to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development and requested additional information from the VA Office of Inspector General.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is now pending.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD and hearing loss are denied, but the Board finds a mixed disposition due to some issues being granted.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development due to inadequate previous examinations and failure to address specific issues in the Veteran's appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to December 20, 2011 was denied as the disability level and symptomatology are adequately described by the schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder, and alcohol dependence in remission, are related to his service. The claim is therefore granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was not found to warrant a higher initial rating prior to September 17, 2008 or from that date forward.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not alone render him unemployable. The combined effects of his service-connected and nonservice-connected conditions, particularly his neurocognitive disorder, are considered the primary factors preventing employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective November 22, 2011, the date of receipt of his claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity cold injuries. The combined rating for his service-connected disabilities at that time was 70 percent.

The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is not found to be related to service or his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 29, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had PTSD as a result of his active military service and that this condition contributed to his death. After resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant, the Board finds that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depression, anxiety, nightmares, a lack of motivation, occasional suicidal ideations without plan or intent.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.