PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for proper development of his claims, including consideration of a new VA examination report.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder which the Board finds are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD with symptoms of memory loss. However, a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or MDD, and whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work and social relationships. The Veteran was granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD from March 14, 2011 to April 29, 2015, and in excess of 70 percent from April 30, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service and granting the benefit of the doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite, bilateral hands has been reopened and is now considered. The Board finds that new evidence supports the reopening of this claim.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted based on credible reports of in-service stressors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities limit him to sedentary employment. The earlier effective date claim for asthma was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to December 22, 2014 and increased to 50 percent effective that date. The Veteran is entitled to a higher rating for PTSD from December 22, 2014 onwards.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with other service-connected disabilities, renders him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, anxiety and panic disorder without agoraphobia, and depressive disorder are of service origin and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals with erectile dysfunction were properly reduced from a 100% to a 40% evaluation effective October 1, 2012. The evidence did not show continued active malignancy or recurrence of prostate cancer.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, which are rated as a combined rating of at least 70 percent.

The Veteran's OSA and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the OSA rated at 30 percent and the PTSD initially rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective February 14, 2005. The Veteran's nephrolithiasis is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. Service connection for a headache disability is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further evaluations. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be reconsidered after the development.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence has met the percentage requirements for a TDIU rating, and his service-connected disabilities prevent him from performing gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity for the period prior to April 23, 2015. The symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has established service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service stressors. Service connection for hypertension remains denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, hematuria, fibromyalgia, ulcer, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, nerve damage to the left hand, arms, and feet, and right hand disability have been denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors and no link between current conditions and service.