PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a right arm shrapnel injury and granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and panic disorder without agoraphobia. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as secondary to a military sexual trauma is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as secondary to a military sexual trauma is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, rendered him unemployable prior to September 5, 2012. The Board has ordered a remand for an examination to assess the combined effect of these conditions on his employability.

The Board denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) secondary to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)/Mental Disorders because there was no clinical diagnosis of TBI in the record, and the Veteran's lay statements were insufficient to substantiate her claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and insomnia, are found to be attributable to service, specifically the in-service sexual assault. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 100% effective November 22, 2016. Prior to that date, the rating was 50%. The Veteran has total occupational and social impairment since then.

The Board denied service connection for insomnia and PTSD as the Veteran's symptoms are already associated with his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to the need for updated treatment records. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by the outcome of the PTSD rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 30, 2012. The symptoms have included impairment of short- and long-term memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and denied an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran's low back disability was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year after separation from service, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. For PTSD, the evidence does not show deficiencies in most areas that would warrant a 70% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and lumbar spine disability are being remanded for further evaluation as the VA examinations were not conducted. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks during significant stress, warranting a 30 percent disability rating prior to November 3, 2016. As of November 3, 2016, the Veteran's PTSD caused reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been determined to be permanently disabling, allowing for eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits since March 3, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability has been reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to possibly include PTSD, depression, anxiety) remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other conditions like marijuana and alcohol dependence, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His combined disability rating is at least 80 percent, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of reopening service connection claims for low back disorder, prostate disorder, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The case will be remanded for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD rating and effective date for TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional records and further consideration.