PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD and panic disorder without agoraphobia have been rated based on their individual effects, with a staged rating of 50 percent since February 14, 2017. The TDIU claim is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is at least as likely as not related to service, including his deployment in Iraq.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and Crohn's disease with GERD were denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss since September 29, 2009.

The Veteran is granted a 100% rating for PTSD from November 17, 2011 to March 8, 2012. For the period prior to November 17, 2011, he is entitled to a 50% rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, on a schedular basis. The Board also found that the criteria for an extraschedular rating were not met.

The Board has determined that the issue of entitlement to a TDIU rating had been reasonably raised by the record and thus, should be adjudicated as part of the initial rating claim for PTSD. The case is now being remanded due to non-compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded due to a need for another medical opinion and consideration of arguments regarding potential service connection based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found no evidence of a TBI during the appeal period and denied service connection for PTSD with a history of adjustment disorder, major depression and alcoholism. The Veteran's headache syndrome was also denied as there were no characteristic prostrating attacks.

The Veteran's PTSD and OSA were found to meet the schedular criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to July 27, 2015. The TDIU was also granted. However, service connection for OSA is not addressed as it is considered 'unknown' due to lack of information.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% rating since August 18, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizophrenia, has been reopened. The Board finds that the current acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (schizophrenia) was incurred in service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted with a rating in excess of 50 percent from January 20, 2016 onwards. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are denied as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's esophageal cancer and diabetes mellitus are not service connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder. The decision also grants service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents, and was not caused or aggravated by the service-connected PTSD.,Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, hypertension increased in severity proximately due to or the result of service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying in-service stressors. A new VA examination is also needed to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's PTSD with aggravated tic disorder is currently rated at 100 percent, which constitutes total occupational and social impairment. As a result, the issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot.