PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since May 19, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, and assigned a separate rating of 20 percent for painful scars due to burns on the right upper extremity and anterior trunk. The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for his scar on the left forehead was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a new VA examination and to obtain an opinion as to whether his current psychiatric conditions are related to service, including his burn injury in 1986. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and issuing a statement of the case for the issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 60 percent since September 6, 2012. The criteria for a rating of 60 percent for cardiomegaly have been met from the date of claim until August 11, 2009. As of August 12, 2009, the Veteran's cardiomegaly is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum rating authorized for tinnitus under Diagnostic Code 6260. Prior to October 3, 2012, the Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran died from a head injury sustained as a result of a fall, with contributing causes of hypertensive cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. The cause of death is unrelated to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed because his PTSD has been granted a 100% schedular rating, which renders the TDIU claim moot.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis under DSM-IV and whether any current psychiatric disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected digestive disability, including GERD and dysphagia, is rated at 30 percent. The Board finds a separate rating of 10 percent for esophageal stricture under Diagnostic Code 7203.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prostate cancer residuals, needs further examination as the current VA examiner's opinion was internally inconsistent.

The Veteran's appeal is about determining if he should receive a higher disability rating for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, and his claim for service connection for thrombocytopenia is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, with the stressors verified through deck logs of the USS Cimarron. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent from March 22, 2010 to November 18, 2015 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective March 26, 2009. The Board also found that the Veteran met criteria for a TDIU prior to April 1, 2011.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to address the Veteran's psychiatric claims, including his PTSD and other diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 11, 2013 and the initial rating of 50 percent was granted effective June 20, 2007. The Veteran is entitled to a higher rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is attributable to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity experienced in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.