PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service aboard USS Dubuque and identification of verified stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are to be evaluated in light of their relationship to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, dental trauma, asthma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or a separate sleep disorder, and his PTSD symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the grant of service connection, and the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the threshold criteria for TDIU, and the Board finds that his education, special training, and employment history support a finding of unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective December 27, 2010. The claim for TDIU was denied as the Veteran did not return a completed VA Form 21-8940 to support his claim and there is no indication in the competent and credible evidence of record that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and panic disorder with agoraphobia, more nearly approximated a 70 percent rating prior to June 9, 2015, and is at least as likely as not preventing him from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment. As such, TDIU is granted for the appeal period prior to June 9, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for various disabilities due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, with the Board finding that they more closely approximated the current 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for TBI cognitive impairment residuals remains unchanged, as the evidence does not show that his symptoms more closely approximate a higher disability level.

The Veteran is granted a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremities, headaches, cervical degenerative changes, chronic back pain, chronic gastritis, PTSD, MDD, and right arm neuralgia. The SMC rating is at level (r)(1).

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, did not manifest in service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted, with the diagnosis being related to in-service stressors. Tinnitus was also found to have its onset during service.,Service connection is established for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board finds that his renal insufficiency is related to diabetes mellitus type II. The remaining claims are REMANDED due to the need for additional development regarding in-service stressors and psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and TBI were granted effective May 19, 2010. The TDIU rating was also granted effective that date.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features, claimed as PTSD, has been rated at 70 percent since the appeal period began. This rating is appropriate given his symptoms of anxiety, chronic sleep problems, auditory hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and an inability to establish effective relationships.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a potential error in the September 2009 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD. The case will be reconsidered after adjudicating whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in that decision.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is rated at 60 percent since January 25, 2013. His PTSD remains rated at 30 percent. Both conditions are determined to be service-connected on the merits.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from March 7, 2012 to March 4, 2013. The Veteran's lumbar strain with a history of herniated disc did not result in significant disability. The Veteran's cervical strain did not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was productive of mild incomplete paralysis throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's GERD has resulted in persistent symptoms but without severe impairment.