PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder and right ankle disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and type II diabetes mellitus. The RO also granted service connection for an anxiety disorder but assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective from November 22, 2010. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, as evidenced by symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance related to nightmares, irritability, and difficulty in establishing effective relationships. The disability more nearly approximates the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

For the period prior to March 3, 2016, the Veteran's PTSD was characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,From March 3, 2016, the Veteran's PTSD resulted in more severe occupational and social impairment, including deficiencies in work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD and PTSD) has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since February 25, 2011, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, nephritis with nephrolithiasis, tinnitus, tendonitis of the right and left ankles, and hemorrhoids, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's PTSD and heart disability claims, including obtaining medical records from VA facilities and private providers. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records, as well as to ensure the Veteran's claims are evaluated in full consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased from 30 to 50 percent, but the appeal is still pending for ratings in excess of these levels.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizoaffective disorder and PTSD, are not shown to be related to service or have manifested within one year after discharge from active duty.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right eye disability, including his loss of vision in the right eye, is at least as likely as not related to service. The VA examiner opined that the acquired psychiatric disorders are also related to service and stressors associated with military service.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressors and denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disabilities, foot rash and skin disorders, right knee disability, and right arm disability as they were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and a medical opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the remaining claim on appeal.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is March 17, 1997.

The Veteran's PTSD, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and peripheral neuropathy have been granted service connection. The PTSD has been assigned a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent since February 7, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressed mood has not met the criteria for a higher initial rating in either 30 percent or 50 percent prior to and from June 20, 2017 respectively.