PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective June 19, 2008. The Board has determined that the criteria for a higher rating are not met and denied an increased rating. Prior to August 12, 2016, the Veteran was found unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of alleged personal assaults in service and consideration of alternative sources of supporting evidence. The Veteran's claims for alcohol and drug abuse and an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, are considered to be reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board has vacated the decision on the TDIU claim and remanded it for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the impact of PTSD on employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and entitlement to TDIU due to lack of evidence showing a pre-existing condition or etiology related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD with anxiety disorder, caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to April 29, 2016. The disability did not meet the criteria for a rating of 100 percent due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to outstanding treatment records and other issues. The Veteran's request for service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression, as well as his claim for TDIU, are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary mood disorder and substance abuse is rated at 70 percent effective April 4, 2016. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable effective February 11, 2009. The Board restored the original rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU rating as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the reduction in PTSD rating from 100% to 50% was proper and supported by evidence showing improvement in symptoms. The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period June 1, 2008 to July 1, 2016 is granted as his combined disability rating due to PTSD, heart disease, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, hypertension, and bilateral ankle impairment was at least 90%.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and anxiety disorder were denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The diagnoses are now considered to be an anxiety disorder, which was not present in service or until many years thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by symptoms producing no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decreases in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating since June 6, 2013. The claim for TDIU is granted as of January 1, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD was previously denied by the Board in February 2018, and is now dismissed as collaterally estopped.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is found to be related to his active duty service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, finding that no application to reopen was received prior to September 30, 2010. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are remanded due to inextricably intertwined nature.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a 70 percent rating based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically Bipolar Disorder, is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of claim. The Board also granted a TDIU for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeal.