PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD due to a lack of a current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, aggravated by his herbicide exposure and alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, as the July 1978 incident was determined to be a result of the Veteran's own misconduct.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. For the entire appeal period, a 70 percent rating for PTSD with depression and alcohol use disorder is granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not have an in-service onset and are not etiologically related to active military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral knee disorders, rendered him unable to work in any active or sedentary position he might have been able to obtain with his background. The Board has granted an effective date of January 19, 2011 for the TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in reduced reliability and productivity prior to February 9, 2015. Since then, it has caused deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and left thumb disability due to lack of evidence regarding service connection. The Veteran is also awaiting resolution of a Federal Circuit case that may affect his claim for bronchitis.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% since October 11, 2016. The effective date for TDIU was set to the same date due to meeting the percentage requirements.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer was not treated during the period from April 3, 2013 through October 27, 2015 and thus denied a compensable rating for this time frame. The PTSD claim is remanded as an addendum opinion is needed to determine if there is a link between service and current symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent from August 31, 2012 to March 19, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities. The examiner will also assess whether the acquired psychiatric disorder or PTSD is proximately due to or the result of the Veteran’s service-connected left knee disability, lumbar strain, and left hip strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records and a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 23, 2007 to April 19, 2010 and since August 1, 2010. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms such as flattened affect, self-isolation, chronic sleep impairment, near-continuous depression and anxiety, impaired impulse control, and difficulty in establishing effective relationships.

The Veteran's claims for an increase in the rating for posttraumatic stress disorder, reopening of a claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being referred for further development.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and analysis regarding his PTSD diagnosis and its relation to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The issue of TDIU from January 29, 2007 through May 9, 2010 was also denied.