PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and no present psychiatric disability is attributable to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to May 15, 2012. The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoids) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 25, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, diagnosed as dysthymic disorder and PTSD, has been rated at 70 percent since September 3, 2009. The rating is based on the current severity of his symptoms without any indication that a higher or lower rating is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to warrant a 50 percent rating, approximating the criteria for reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder are related to her military sexual trauma, which was found to be substantiated by evidence. The issues of increased evaluations for chronic bronchitis and cervical stenosis have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for PTSD rating and TDIU are currently pending.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, high cholesterol, tinea cruris, sinusitis, and a psychiatric disability (PTSD, depression, anxiety), have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders and considering his lay statements concerning the onset of his symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected PTSD did not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on schedular or extraschedular considerations. The case is now remanded to consider whether a TDIU should be awarded on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The claim for service connection for anemia is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder are related to his service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board videoconference hearing. The claim of entitlement to an increased initial rating for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation records. The claims for higher ratings for radiculopathy are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease associated with osteoarthritis L4-5 and L5-S1.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The Board found that the appellant could not meet the statutory duration requirements for a total disability rating at the time of her husband's death.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective June 19, 2012. The issue of a TDIU is also addressed.

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 obtaining his complete service personnel records and VA treatment records. An examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist will also be conducted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. This includes obtaining verification of stressor events in service, securing SSA records, and arranging for an examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.