PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and granted service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in work, family relationships, thinking and mood. The Board granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is related to a verified stressor incurred during service in the Persian Gulf. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that an increased rating beyond this level is not warranted. The Veteran was also denied entitlement to TDIU as he did not meet the criteria for such a determination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from September 26, 2005 to November 24, 2007. The RO granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective February 1, 2008 and awarded TDIU from September 26, 2005 to November 24, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant functional impairment, including difficulties with work and social relationships. The Board granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective June 16, 2008.,Effective June 16, 2008, the Veteran was granted TDIU benefits based on his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD. Effective June 16, 2008, he also received basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas of the Veteran's life from May 18, 2004 to January 27, 2007. A 70 percent rating was granted for this period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination to assess his employability due to service-connected PTSD and a scar at the dorsal aspect of the penis. The Veteran should also be asked to provide any employment records from his former employer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand to complete verification of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and to schedule a VA psychiatric examination. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity caused by witnessing a mine explosion during service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was initially rated at 30 percent prior to June 2, 2014. The appeal is for a higher rating.,A September 2014 rating decision granted an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from June 2, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disorder and a sleep apnea examination. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the overlap between service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% disability rating prior to September 16, 2009. From September 16, 2009, the Veteran is rated at 70%, with no further controversy regarding his entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, ED, SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, migraines, and OSA are denied as the earliest possible effective date is August 16, 2009, the day following separation from active service.,Service connection for hypertension was granted with an effective date of October 28, 2009, based on a diagnosis within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as entitlement arose prior to that date.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from June 11, 2009 to March 21, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for prostate disorder, stomach ulcers, and skin fungus/rash/cancer are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran's skin condition was diagnosed during service but not related to it.,PTSD and GERD with gastritis have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing. He will be given another opportunity for a hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled Board hearing. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), bladder cancer, and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability are still pending.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded for additional examination and consideration of recent treatment records.