PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, thus the initial rating of 70% remains.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including depression and PTSD, are not related to his military service. The erectile dysfunction is also not linked to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development and examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Features, are related to service. The Veteran asserts that these conditions are due to in-service stressors and behavior issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with his Persistent Depressive Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder, has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment. The VA examiner determined that the symptoms are primarily attributable to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating prior to November 3, 2011. For the period beginning November 3, 2011, his PTSD symptoms were found to be at least as severe as those warranting a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board has found that the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating are approximated.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD and asthma, is found to be related to his active duty service. The acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, is also found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of symptoms such as depressed mood, nightmares, irritability, and cognitive impairment/difficulty concentrating. The disability resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran is entitled to an initial compensable rating for his lumbosacral strain with myofascial pain of the mid back around the scapulae, and a TDIU effective November 30, 2011.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at a 70 percent since September 24, 2009. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined TDIU issue, and he will be provided an opportunity to respond after any additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD and vascular dementia are rated at 70 percent, hypertension is not compensable, diabetes mellitus is not service connected due to lack of exposure to herbicides, erectile dysfunction is secondary to hypertension, cardiomyopathy with CAD and peripheral neuropathy of the legs do not meet criteria for service connection, and obstructive sleep apnea does not warrant a rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating. The effective date for this increased rating is November 17, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, claimed as painful and swelling joints, has been granted service connection due to its presumed relation to Gulf War service. The Board also found that the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of PTSD and major depressive disorder, which are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders under DSM-V. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. The TDIU issue is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and readjudication due to pending VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to cause significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% disability rating.