PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported sexual assaults during active service are credible and have a nexus to her current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to January 30, 2013. The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depressed mood; anxiety; panic attacks more than once a week; chronic sleep impairment; intrusive thoughts; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulties establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships; and GAF scores ranging from 45 to 65. The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any time during this period.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and awarded a 10 percent disability rating for emphysema and stable pulmonary nodules, effective September 9, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, and his claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied because he had been incarcerated since July 1981, which is more than sixty-one days after his conviction and incarceration. The claims of service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and dysthymic disorder, were not incurred in service due to lack of chronicity during service and no evidence linking current conditions to service. The examiner opined that the Veteran's mental health conditions started in childhood and were less likely caused by or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for PTSD was denied as there was no evidence of increased disability warranting such an award within one year prior to January 28, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including referral of the TDIU claim to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration and issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a chronic wound, finding that the evidence supports these claims based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to bring his combined rating to 80 percent, with at least one disability rated 40 percent or higher. These service-connected disabilities preclude the Veteran from maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and left shoulder disability were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The remaining issues, including service connection for various conditions, are currently in a pending status.

The Veteran's PTSD causes significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The Board also granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, conduct examinations and opinions regarding his psychiatric disorders, joint and tendon disorders, headaches, and hypertension, and provide appropriate notice for a personal assault claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if he meets the full criteria for PTSD or any other psychiatric diagnosis, and to address the nature and etiology of such diagnoses. The Veteran also reported worsening symptoms of PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to March 3, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD, panic disorder, and MDD with alcohol abuse in remission and marijuana dependence were granted a 70 percent disability rating effective March 23, 2016. The hearing loss disability was not rated compensably.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his PTSD, and consideration of a TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, not otherwise specified.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to obtain mental health treatment records from Fort Leonard Wood. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD will be re-adjudicated after these records are obtained.