PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a sino-nasal disorder and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for a psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claim was not granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's November 1980 motor vehicle accident during service may not have been due to willful misconduct, and thus is related to service. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a right ankle disability, tinnitus, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), with reasonable doubt resolving in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 19, 2016. Prior to that date, the rating was increased from 50 percent effective October 15, 2010. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU due solely to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as secondary to military sexual trauma, and his syphilis claim remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD in September 2008 and the Veteran did not appeal. The claim was reopened on October 23, 2009, and granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since June 1, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and migraines have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with secondary anxiety and depression is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 31, 2011. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need to consider whether he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely by reason of his service-connected disabilities prior to September 25, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder was granted effective from September 8, 1995. This decision is based on new VA treatment records received in January 2010 that were not part of the claims file at the time of his initial denial in February 1996.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder manifested during active duty service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder with anxious distress features and undifferentiated/overlapping alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU, and he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his physical and psychological limitations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, TBI cognitive disorder, NOS, and migraines.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding in-service stressors and treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings on all three issues during the November 2017 Board hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of CUE in the February 1993 and January 1971 rating decisions regarding service connection for PTSD.