PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for frostbite residuals of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, nose, and ears have not been established. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) has been established with secondary service connection to his service-connected spondylolisthesis.

The Board found that the Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder warranted a rating of 70 percent, effective as of January 27, 2014. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the appeal period began, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, resulting in a combined disability rating of 80 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is not service-connected because there is no credible evidence to support his claimed in-service stressors, and thus the essential criterion for establishing service connection for PTSD was not met.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease have rendered him unemployable for the period prior to December 6, 2011. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU based on his education and work history.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective September 19, 2016. The VA examiner found the Veteran's symptoms to be no worse than mild and intermittent.

The Veteran's major depression/PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, and TDIU is granted effective September 26, 2013. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to ensure a complete record and to schedule an examination due to his incarceration.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar I disorder has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has restored service connection for PTSD and remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic migraine headaches due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and information from private providers. The matter of his entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was raised during the January 2017 Board hearing.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records since June 2009. The TDIU issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, is related to a military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as non-compensable due to the lack of documented diastolic pressure predominantly 100 mmHg or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 mmHg or more, or a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 mmHg or more with blood pressure controlled by continuous medication.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder. However, the claims for PTSD, bilateral hip disorder, neurological condition of the lower extremities, increased evaluations for lumbosacral spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left ankle sprain, fracture deformity of the right hand, and nasal fracture with septal deviation have been denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and TBI residuals, has been found to result in total social and occupational impairment for the entire period on appeal. The Board grants an initial rating of 100 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus denied his claim as there is no direct evidence linking his current condition to service.