PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD with substance abuse is currently rated at 70 percent from October 15, 2014 to March 15, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, due to the Veteran's combat experiences in Iraq. The dental disability claims are not supported by evidence of a disease or injury incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including psychotic disorder, schizoaffective disorder and PTSD, are etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has determined that the disability warrants a higher rating of 70 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, and it was determined that the criteria for a 100 percent rating were met. The effective date of this decision is September 30, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully and correctly adjudicate the claims on appeal, including obtaining National Guard service records, VA treatment records from October 2015 onward, and private medical treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, verifying stressor events, and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his PTSD and hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 14, 2011. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met prior to January 27, 2015.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's PTSD, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is related to his active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial ratings for residuals of cold weather injuries to his upper and lower extremities has been withdrawn. The remaining claims of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 17, 2009. The Board also determined that the issue of entitlement to a TDIU had not been raised in this context.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there was no corroborated stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The acquired psychiatric disability is therefore denied as service connection cannot be established.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to February 21, 2008, but did not result in deficiencies in most areas. From February 21, 2008, the Veteran experienced significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The criteria to establish entitlement to a TDIU are also met.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him disabled to the extent that he requires the regular aid and assistance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and MDD did not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment during the period from March 22, 2012 to January 6, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.