PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be causally related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current PTSD is at least as likely as not the result of an in-service event or injury. The other issues related to knee disabilities and headaches are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depressive disorder NOS and alcohol abuse has been productive of total occupational and social impairment for the entire appeal period, warranting a 100 percent rating. As his TDIU claim is moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD, his TDIU issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on all issues, including a rating increase for PTSD and service connection claims. The NOD regarding the February 2015 hearing loss decision was found to be untimely.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is likely caused by an in-service personal assault, and thus service connection for PTSD with anxiety is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. His service-connected low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his lumbar radiculitis of the left lower extremity is also rated at 10 percent. The appeals for hearing loss, TDIU, and RLS were withdrawn.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and PTSD were found to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal of a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder bursitis has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was incurred during his period of honorable active service. As such, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, reopening and denial of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 17, 2017, and service connection for a pulmonary disorder (asbestosis).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the knees, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background. The Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling from July 21, 2011. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period prior to June 21, 2012.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 90 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The Board has granted this claim.

The Veteran's PTSD disability, along with his major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse disorder, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,His symptoms included depressed mood, anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, chronic sleep impairment, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, socially-isolative behaviors, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by no worse than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current back disorder or residuals of TBI related to his service. The claim for somatic symptom disorder is granted, but the claims for back disorder and TBI are denied.