PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the earliest date within one year prior to the March 23, 2011 claim for an increased rating where a factually ascertainable increase in disability was found is September 1, 2010. Therefore, the effective date of the 50% PTSD rating is set as September 1, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The Board also found that there is no evidence to support service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to January 30, 2017. Effective January 30, 2017, the rating for PTSD increased to 100 percent.,From September 3, 2010 to January 30, 2017, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, or a heart disability due to herbicide exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses for these conditions.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 100 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective December 22, 2008. Given that this is the only service connected disability and a TDIU could not increase his compensation, the issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, a back disability, or a thyroid disability that is related to her active service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining opinions from examiners regarding whether PTSD aggravates OSA.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The appeal for TDIU was also denied as there is no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining any form of gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and finds no nexus between his current psychiatric disorders and service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at a 50 percent disability rating since June 30, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder with PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 13, 2006. The rating is based on the severity of her symptoms and impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and the Board finds that VA's duty to provide a VA examination is not triggered. The Veteran has not provided competent evidence of a current disability or signs and symptoms of a current disability related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and cognitive disorder, cannot be established as there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors or combat experience. The diagnosis of PTSD was also deemed invalid due to lack of supporting evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 8, 2015. The TDIU claim is granted from February 28, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a rating of 70 percent prior to December 2, 2015.,Service connection for coronary artery disease is also granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under DSM-V, and to obtain a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is currently in remand status due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar strain, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds that the current rating adequately captures his disability picture.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with dysthymic disorder has resulted in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.