PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for skin discoloration, hypertension, PTSD, and toenail discoloration have been denied. The case is being remanded due to a procedural deficiency in the issuance of a statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by psychiatric symptoms such as suicidal ideation, sleep impairment, nightmares, memory impairment, irritability, anger management issues, hypervigilance, and difficulty in maintaining social relationships, causing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. The criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent have been met throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination and notification of alternative evidence sources.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating may be warranted based on his symptoms. The case is being remanded for further examination to clarify the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 10, 2009 to September 4, 2012. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the grant of service connection, reflecting significant impairment in most areas of his life.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection was denied. The initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD remains unchanged, and the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating or additional benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU and increased ratings for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and PTSD has been dismissed. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against an increase in disability rating for PTSD prior to September 12, 2016, and since then, as well as for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, requesting a medical opinion regarding Huntington disease and psychiatric disorders, and determining whether R.A.P. was permanently incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defect at age eighteen.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that she meets the criteria for a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including insomnia and PTSD, was denied. The Board found that there is no in-service diagnosis or treatment for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-IV. The case was remanded multiple times but ultimately remained in denial.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete verification of a stressor and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum to a VA medical opinion and ensuring that all requested information is provided. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability will be evaluated in relation to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the date of his claim, and a higher rating is not warranted as he does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 3, 2011. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from April 19, 2016.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible level (100%) since June 18, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, do not render him unemployable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of total social and occupational impairment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30% and his back disability was rated at various levels prior to December 2, 2016. As of December 2, 2016, the rating for his back disability changed from 40% to 50%. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not increased in severity or frequency and concluded that they do not appear to be military related.