PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for PTSD, which was granted in March 2010. The case has been remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and adjudicate the claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the March 2010 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent rating effective January 30, 2008. The Board found that his symptoms prior to May 29, 2014 did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as his claim for service connection for stroke (claimed as cerebral vascular accident), due to lack of timely notice of disagreement. The Board also found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including his depressive disorder and anxiety. The examiner should determine whether there is any relationship between the current disorders and any verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating prior to September 25, 2013. As of that date, the Veteran is rated at 100 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his employment history and current job status indicate he is capable of securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show a nexus between his current conditions and his time in service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not significantly worsened to warrant a higher rating, and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to January 22, 2010 resulted in reduced reliability and productivity. After January 22, 2010, his symptoms caused deficiencies in most areas of work and social life.

The Board found no in-service stressor sufficient to establish PTSD and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow such employment due to his age and the nature of his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to service and therefore, there is no basis upon which to establish service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for TDIU was also denied as his service-connected disability did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is rated at 50 percent, effective June 6, 2012. The Board granted a higher rating to 70 percent for the entire appeal period. However, he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude all work-type activity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and dysthymic disorder, a bilateral ankle disorder, migraine headaches, right wrist arthritis, and neurological symptoms in the left lower extremity. The Board found insufficient credible supporting evidence to corroborate the claimed in-service stressors of MST or personal assault, and concluded that there was no diagnosis of PTSD based on these stressors. The Veteran's depressive disorder is not service connected.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling since May 27, 2004. The rating agency found that the Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment but not total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of service connection (November 15, 2008). The Board found that his symptoms warranted this rating throughout the appeal period. However, a TDIU remains pending as employment history and current employability are unclear.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a respiratory condition due to asbestos exposure in service.

The Veteran's appeal to have an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was dismissed as a freestanding claim, not meeting the pleading and filing requirements for a CUE (claim of clear and unmistakable error) claim.