PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is rated at 70 percent since May 1, 2017. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date and after May 1, 2017, has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy claims, and that there was no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and depressive disorder that are related to his reported in-service stressors/military service, and the Board finds service connection for these conditions is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 30 percent since July 30, 1982 through November 2, 2002. The appeal for a higher rating after that date has been dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 20, 2017. Prior to that date, the claim was denied.,PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's jaw disability is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of verified in-service stressors. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was not reopened as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, with a rating of 10 percent prior to April 18, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms did not cause total occupational and social impairment but caused some occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 4, 2010 and denied for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia, did not manifest during service or is etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent disability rating from September 18, 2006 to May 5, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse and cannabis abuse are rated at 70 percent, effective November 21, 2009. The claim for a TDIU is granted but the effective date remains September 25, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been manifested, at worst, by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. Total occupational and social impairment was not shown.

The Veteran's service-connected GAD with agoraphobia and PTSD is rated at 70 percent since October 20, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms warrant this rating based on occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and as secondary to service-connected asbestosis, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD and mood disorder are rated at 50% effective November 20, 2017. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms and their impact on daily functioning.

The Board has found that the Veteran experienced a facial fracture in service and granted service connection for residuals of a facial fracture. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression as secondary to coronary artery disease (CAD), a rating in excess of 10 percent for CAD, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD due to incomplete information from VA treatment records. The Veteran's mental health condition is unclear, and an addendum opinion is needed to determine if he has a separate diagnosis of depression or if it is part of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with depressed mood (claimed as PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA medical records.