PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since July 2016, and the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,For TDIU, the Veteran was found to have occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to antisocial personality disorder, stimulant use disorder, and alcohol use disorder. His service-connected PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder were attributed to these nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 70 percent since April 12, 2011. The symptoms have included deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to August 24, 2007. From that date until November 1, 2016, the Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was increased to 50 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and alcohol dependence, are at least as likely as not related to his active military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all service-connected. The decision grants these claims based on direct evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a reconciling opinion between VA examination reports and private mental health treatment records.

The Board has resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder is granted. The issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the residuals of a stroke are proximately due to or caused by his hypertension.,PTSD symptoms have resulted in severe anxiety, anger, depression, interrupted sleep, nightmares, isolation, hallucinations, paranoia, hypervigilance, isolated thoughts of self-harm and harm to others, and an inability to establish and maintain effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with the DSM-V.,The Veteran's claims for residuals of a head injury and headaches were not addressed due to lack of competent evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy; as well as PTSD, render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.,For the entire appeal period, the criteria for a 50 percent rating, but no higher, for PTSD are met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand nerve damage was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and hypertension are pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a sleep disorder, which is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the appeal was filed, with symptoms including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The evidence supports a finding of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The case will be reviewed to determine if entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD, a temporary total evaluation, or TDIU may be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not by deficiencies in most areas or total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Veteran is unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and chronic depressive disorder. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and depressive disorder are related to his military service, including exposure to in-service mortar attacks and weapons fire. The claim for service connection is granted.