PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to September 15, 2016 and in excess of 70 percent from September 15, 2016 for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been productive of symptoms more closely approximating occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, thus the claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and he is awarded a temporary 100% evaluation for hospitalization due to PTSD. The claims for reopening of sleep apnea, higher rating for TBI, and neck disability are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities, PTSD as secondary to military sexual trauma, and erectile dysfunction. However, it denied these claims on their merits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prostate cancer is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for lung disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that his symptoms do not cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and service connection for a back disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is also in question.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not been manifested by total occupational and social impairment during the appeal period, thus his initial disability rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render her housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, as she is capable of performing most daily functions independently despite physical impairments.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression with anxiety, ADD, and PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST), was not caused or aggravated by a disease or injury in active service. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a connection between the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities and his service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective April 8, 2008. The Veteran also receives a TDIU from December 29, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, dysthymia disorder, and panic disorder are related to an in-service personal assault during a hazing ritual. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and whether he qualifies for TDIU. The case will be returned to the AOJ after the examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a new VA examination. The issues of rating PTSD and panic disorder, as well as TDIU, are also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The issue of reopening a PTSD claim remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since March 23, 2012 and increased to 70 percent effective May 15, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms warrant a 70 percent rating for the entire period under review.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as there is sufficient corroborating evidence of the claimed in-service stressors and a link between the diagnosed PTSD and these events.

The Veteran's non-service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to permanently preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds he is entitled to non-service-connected disability pension benefits.