PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to January 28, 2015 and 50 percent thereafter. The lumbosacral strain is rated at 10 percent prior to February 2, 2015.,PTSD: The Veteran has occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but not occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. Lumbosacral Strain: The Veteran does not have forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to February 21, 2014 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not meet or approximate criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that the earliest possible effective date is March 27, 2012, when the Veteran filed his initial claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection in September 2012. The rating was increased to 50 percent effective October 30, 2014.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and finds that there is sufficient evidence in the record to establish a link between the Veteran's service and her PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is therefore granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and records to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions and whether he has a bilateral hand disability secondary to his service-connected autonomic neuropathy.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as depressive disorder, is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to October 10, 2013 due to the schedular criteria not being met. The claim is now remanded for consideration on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD has been granted a rating of 70 percent since January 23, 2006. The Veteran is also found unemployable due to his service-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is not considered a separate disability and was denied service connection. Service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted.

PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, is rated at 50 percent prior to March 30, 2016 and at 70 percent thereafter. CAD is rated at 60 percent prior to January 1, 2015 and at 30 percent thereafter.,PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, has been granted a higher rating from March 30, 2016 onwards. CAD remains at the same level of disability.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder NOS, and mixed personality disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, skin rash, migraine headaches, and left lower extremity disorder were granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also granted. A rating of 50 percent was assigned for the period prior to April 17, 2014, and a higher rating is sought.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, with symptoms including flattened affect, difficulty understanding complex commands, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively, and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and has been diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service, as there is no evidence of such in-service or post-service records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period through March 18, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD or anxiety disorder. The case is now remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and emphysema with chronic bronchitis did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment for the period prior to November 8, 2012.