PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise, and thus grants service connection for PTSD and Depression as these conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no evidence that the Veteran's current symptoms meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD based on any service-related stressor.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right arm/shoulder disability, back disability, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and PTSD) due to potential new evidence or clarification of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD (including depression and anxiety disorder), and denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental health condition during the appeal period.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, delusional disorder, and bipolar disorder, are granted as service connected due to military sexual trauma experienced during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and anxiety disorder) and the claim for entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claims are being remanded because the examiner who conducted the December 2016 initial PTSD Disability Benefits Questionnaire did not consider whether the Veteran met the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-IV.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a heart disability is dismissed. The claims to reopen for PTSD, left knee degenerative joint disease and effusion (also claimed as arthritis), and right knee meniscectomy are also dismissed due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder is granted. The Board also remanded the case to obtain a retrospective medical opinion regarding the earliest date of ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic low back strain and PTSD, as well as the cause of death claim, were denied. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not meet criteria for higher disability ratings under either old or new rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations were dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent since July 27, 2010. From October 4, 2012 forward, the Veteran’s PTSD improved and is now rated as 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for a higher initial rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder and consideration of TDIU. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined and requires further examination to assess the current severity of his mental health condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% prior to August 8, 2014. Effective from August 8, 2014, the Veteran is granted a 70% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches and PTSD, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of December 16, 2007. The Board granted an effective date of December 16, 2007 for the TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, umbilical hernia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, depression) as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's PTSD and migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent each, effective October 2, 2014. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD due to a withdrawal of appeal, and the motion for revision or reversal based on CUE is dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 2, 2015 for the grant of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is remanded. The Board finds that a Statement of the Case must be issued on this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD with MDD as secondary to PTSD, is now rated at 50 percent from November 29, 2017.