PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were manifested by occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decreased work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress. A rating of 10 percent was granted for PTSD prior to June 11, 2014.

The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD is service connected based on credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. Service connection for PTSD and a depressive disorder are granted. The Veteran also has been diagnosed with porphyria cutanea tarda related to his service. Other claims have not met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds a 70 percent rating is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to have caused significant impairment, but not severe enough for a higher rating. The issues of service connection for trauma to the brain and respiratory disability were also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including hearing loss, gout, stomach disorder, and psychiatric disability. The Board has determined that further examination is necessary to address the severity of these conditions.,The Veteran claims service connection for gout (of the left knee and feet) and a stomach disorder. A VA examination is needed to determine if these disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been reopened, but the underlying claim remains denied.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 60 percent prior to March 31, 2015 and the issue of a higher rating on or after that date is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have been granted, but the ratings for both conditions are not increased beyond what was originally assigned.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 22, 2003. The Board denied an increased rating as the symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, which is due to his stressors experienced in service. The Board therefore concludes that, with the benefit of the doubt resolved in the Veteran's favor, a grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is warranted.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, ischemic heart disease, and migraine headaches, as well as in-service exposures.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and eczema were denied. The claim for TDIU was not addressed as it is related to a different issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is caused by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and therefore grants service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to April 1, 2016. As of April 1, 2016, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a total (100%) rating for the entire claim period. The issue of TDIU was rendered moot due to the grant of a total rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to May 14, 2015 and granted a TDIU. The claim for an increased rating is now resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a new orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and any other diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety. The examiner should provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent from September 6, 2007, to May 17, 2010. From May 18, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 60 percent.