PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective May 5, 2016. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms as described in the rating criteria. The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and experiences symptoms such as depression, anxiety, nightmares, avoidance behavior, and difficulty maintaining social relationships.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum VA opinion to determine when each of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities first manifested, including depression, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia NOS. The effective date for service connection will be determined based on this new information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 14, 2015. As of December 14, 2015, the Veteran has been assigned a 100 percent disability evaluation for PTSD and an award of SMC. The appeal is dismissed as the issue of TDIU is moot.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD has been dismissed as there is no case or controversy remaining.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary for the Veteran's PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II claims due to lack of recent medical evidence. The erectile dysfunction claim will be addressed in conjunction with the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, rendering moot the claim for a TDIU. Service connection was granted for fibromyalgia as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries, including his lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, residuals of a fractured skull, traumatic brain injury, headaches, vertigo, neurological condition affecting bilateral lower extremities (claimed as pain and muscle spasms), neuropathy of upper extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are due to his own willful misconduct. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.

Service connection for migraines as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and/or tinnitus is granted.,The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for the withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's spouse was added as a dependent to his award effective June [redacted], 2005, based on the submission of evidence indicating the marriage occurred in July 2005.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with bipolar disorder was granted, effective April 13, 2012.

The Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD, and depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the noncombat stressors did not meet the criteria for verification and thus could not establish a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found no credible evidence of the Veteran's claimed military sexual assault, and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, and service connection for depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia is also denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including verification of the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtaining his personnel records. The Veteran will be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disability.