PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 50 percent disabling but not in excess of that level.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the February 2009 rating decision, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia has been reopened, but the Board finds that there is no credible evidence of an in-service onset or link to current symptoms. The claim for PTSD and schizophrenia remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with anxiety, depression, and alcohol use disorder warrants a 70 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to April 22, 2016. The Board granted TDIU on this basis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has found that the evidence supports a rating of 70 percent for this condition due to significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 6, 2012. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's persistent adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is granted as service-connected, and a 30% disability rating has been assigned. Service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, prostate cancer, and a disability characterized by generalized body pain to include gout. The TDIU claim is also addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD ratings are being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and ensuring the Veteran has access to medical records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded concurrently.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not attributable to service. The VA examinations and medical opinions provided no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a distinct and separate disability of PTSD that is not related to his already service-connected panic disorder.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including an earlier effective date for ischemic heart disease and PTSD. The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD but the other claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD have been granted service connection, with ratings for PTSD ranging from 50% to 100% based on the severity of symptoms.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease, status post stents associated with herbicide exposure. The claim for an earlier effective date on the basis of CUE for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating of 70 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for tinnitus and irritable bowel syndrome (to include as secondary to PTSD), but not for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, skin cancer, or degenerative joint disease of the left knee or right knee. The Veteran's hypertension was also found not to be related to service.

The Veteran's left knee strain is not related to military service, and the Board finds that service connection for a left knee condition is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to a verified in-service stressor, and service connection for PTSD is granted. The claims of alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis abuse are also granted as they are considered new and material evidence that supports the claim.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.