PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressor while deployed in Bosnia, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. The Board also found sufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of sinusitis, leading to its grant of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent rating prior to February 24, 2017. For the period from February 24, 2017 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD is characterized by total occupational and social impairment, qualifying for a 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), hiatal hernia (GERD), blood clots, night sweats, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are all service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran for a JSRRC request regarding his claimed stressor event. The Veteran must provide more specific details about the suicide of a fellow soldier in service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,Effective March 22, 2013, the Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms are not related to his active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to October 26, 2017. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg injury, residuals of a left hip disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to corroborate his in-service stressors and obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to March 19, 2008. From that date forward, the disability rating has been maintained at 30 percent.

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD with anxiety are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not sufficient for his condition as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder has been rated at 70 percent since October 5, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to July 28, 2016, have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to incomplete medical records. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood; however, total occupational and social impairment has not been shown. The criteria for a rating in excess of the current 70 percent rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for myocronic epilepsy with mitochondrial myopathy was reopened, and the Board found that there is a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Service connection was granted for this condition. The Veteran's PTSD was not manifested by total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and entitlement to TDIU benefits related to his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the submission of new medical evidence. The AOJ must review this evidence and ensure all relevant VA and private treatment records are obtained.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The claims for bilateral elbow and left knee disabilities, as well as diabetes mellitus, type 2, hypertension, and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.