PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder are service-connected due to a verified in-service stressor of participating in a rescue mission for a merchant marine ship.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a personal hearing before a Decision Review Officer (DRO). The Veteran's appeal will be returned to the Regional Office (RO) and she can request a DRO hearing.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the Veteran's symptoms are attributed to substance abuse, not in-service stressors or acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of verified in-service stressor and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to May 17, 2016 and 100 percent from that date. A TDIU was granted effective September 1, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds the evidence at least evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent from June 7, 2017 and thereafter. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but more evidence is needed to make a determination.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension. The appeals for obstructive sleep apnea, rosacea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hearing loss, but remanded the issue of restoring a rating for his depressive disorder.

PTSD was denied as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis.,IBS was granted as it is considered a qualifying chronic disability for Persian Gulf Veterans and has manifested to a compensable degree.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic migraine headaches have been very frequent, completely prostrating prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability throughout the appeals period and warrant a 50 percent rating.,For the period prior to August 2, 2013, the Veteran’s PTSD with anxiety and memory loss has most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete development of records, including obtaining VA treatment records from December 2000 to January 2003.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim of initial rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU claim and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, due to military sexual trauma (MST) and sexual harassment by a female superior officer during periods of Active Duty for Training (ADT). The Veteran's claims are supported by her own testimony, corroborated statements from friends, VA mental health records, and private psychological evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 15, 2013. The Board finds that the Veteran’s symptoms most closely approximate a 50 percent rating based on reduced reliability and productivity due to his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a groin muscle injury was denied in the past, but new evidence has reopened this claim.,Service connection is granted for headaches. The Veteran reported head injuries sustained during boxing and football while serving.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has caused unemployability since March 25, 2004 and the Board grants a TDIU effective from that date.