PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn the appeal for an increased rating of PTSD with alcohol dependence.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is remanded. The Board finds that the evidence supports referral of the Veteran’s PTSD TDIU claim to the Director, Compensation Service, under 38 C.F.R. §4.16(b).

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, claiming ankylosing spondylitis, as the evidence did not show it was incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection was also denied for depression and/or anxiety (other than PTSD) to include as secondary to a low back disorder.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or related to his service-connected PTSD. The cause of death, pulmonary edema, is not considered a direct result of service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms cause occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but generally functioning satisfactorily. The Board denied a higher disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for acquired psychiatric disorders including anxiety and mood disorders, which are found to have onset in service. The effective date for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches remains June 27, 2014, as requested by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for sinusitis is denied as the evidence does not show more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year.,VA has remanded the issues of service connection for back disability, sciatica of the left and right lower extremities, and PTSD. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and a supplemental opinion regarding these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and to consider all relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for loss of vision in the left eye, a skin disability, colon cancer, or an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has ordered a new examination to clarify the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses and assess whether any of them are related to service, including an in-service stressor.

The Board found that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left shoulder disability as the result of VA treatment was denied, and his appeals for increased evaluations for PTSD and TDIU were also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 2017, and the Board finds this rating is appropriate given his symptoms. The Veteran also meets criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective October 19, 2010. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 12, 2003 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis prior to that date.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with depression and alcohol dependence was rated at 70 percent from June 13, 2008 to February 21, 2017. The VA determined that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was rated at 50 percent prior to October 10, 2008 and granted a higher rating of 50 percent from that date until February 11, 2013. The Board also found the evidence did not support a TDIU prior to February 11, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the period beginning February 22, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, but the claim for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder remains pending.