PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD and SAD, is etiologically related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, did not originate during active service or as a result of his service-connected disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned an effective date of September 18, 2000. The Veteran's initial claim was denied in February 2003 due to lack of supporting evidence, but the Court found that new evidence submitted after the denial (service personnel records) should have been considered at the time of the original decision.

The Board found that there was not sufficient evidence to establish a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, but granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depressed mood) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of PTSD prior to August 30, 2013. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 1997. The Board found that the current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they have not resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's combined disability evaluation of 60 percent due to service-connected PTSD and tinnitus does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, as his disabilities do not render him unemployable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support his contention that he is unable to work.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating effective August 30, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a fracture of the left lateral orbit of the maxillary atrium, inferior orbital ridge, and zygomatic arch is denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence showing any current residuals related to active service. For PTSD, the criteria for an initial rating greater than 30 percent prior to September 8, 2007, greater than 50 percent from September 8, 2007, to August 27, 2008, from November 1, 2008, to January 29, 2010, and from April 1, 2010, to March 13, 2013, and greater than 70 percent from March 13, 2013, to November 27, 2015, have not been met.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the request to reopen the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board finds it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran has PTSD as a result of his active service, and grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to her active duty service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from January 28, 2010 to May 3, 2016. As of May 4, 2016, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated occupation and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, alcohol dependence, and depression contributed to his death. The cause of death is considered unknown but likely related to these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to September 5, 2012. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for his PTSD with alcohol abuse effective September 25, 2009, and a 70 percent rating thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim for PTSD was previously denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition during service and no credible supporting evidence showing the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma. The Board has determined that the issues on appeal should be characterized as set forth in the title page and remanded for further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD for VA purposes, and there is no credible supporting evidence that an in-service stressor occurred.