PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied. The case is also remanded to consider his eligibility for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for prostate condition, right ankle disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is due to his own willful misconduct.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to July 7, 2000. The symptoms included depression, intrusive thoughts, and difficulty sleeping.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for PTSD, leaving the issues of peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence linking the Veteran's current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 50 percent based on reduced reliability and productivity. The claim for service connection for prostate cancer was denied due to lack of new and material evidence within one year of the denial. TDIU is remanded as an issue.

The Veteran is granted service connection for varicose veins and major depressive disorder with psychotic features, but denied service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is confirmed and the claim for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's TBI residuals include complaints of memory impairment and numbness and tingling in the hands. The Board found that more than a mild cognitive impairment equating to level 2 impairment under any facet has not been demonstrated, and she is currently assigned separate disability ratings for symptoms attributable to migraine headaches, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service aboard USS Dubuque and identification of verified stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are to be evaluated in light of their relationship to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, dental trauma, asthma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or a separate sleep disorder, and his PTSD symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the grant of service connection, and the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the threshold criteria for TDIU, and the Board finds that his education, special training, and employment history support a finding of unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective December 27, 2010. The claim for TDIU was denied as the Veteran did not return a completed VA Form 21-8940 to support his claim and there is no indication in the competent and credible evidence of record that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and panic disorder with agoraphobia, more nearly approximated a 70 percent rating prior to June 9, 2015, and is at least as likely as not preventing him from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment. As such, TDIU is granted for the appeal period prior to June 9, 2015.

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