PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS, is granted service connection. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than anxiety disorder (to include PTSD) remains pending and the previously denied low back disorder claim has been reopened.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted, along with a grant of TDIU.,Service connection for schizoaffective disorder and PTSD is established.

The Veteran's appeal of right hip strain/hamstring insertion was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The remaining issues regarding respiratory disability, psychiatric disorder, and neurological disorder are addressed in this remand.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to an in-service stressor involving fear of hostile military activity, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for ischemic heart disease and PTSD, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for service connection of ischemic heart disease, were denied. The Veteran was also denied TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be a result of his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher initial rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of a few issues. The Board found that the Veteran had current diagnoses and credible evidence supporting his reported stressors related to combat experience in Vietnam. Service connection was established for PTSD based on exposure to hostile military activity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his claims, including a VA examination and verification of stressor events.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and denied service connection. The cervical spine disorder is related to post-service injuries, and thus service connection was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain missing service personnel records and for an examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist to determine the nature of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, their likely etiology, and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence supports a 70 percent rating for PTSD throughout the appeal period. Since October 5, 2010, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. Effective February 25, 2012, the Veteran has also been rated at least 60 percent disabling for other service-connected conditions (coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, of the lower extremities, tinnitus), meeting the criteria for SMC based on statutory housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, have rendered him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed as he expressed a clear intent that his appeal not proceed further.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, effectively dismissing the claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been denied as there is no medical evidence of record linking the current diagnoses to his military service.