PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and renal insufficiency, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and concluding that the renal insufficiency is not related to herbicide exposure or service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened, but the Board denied his claims for increased ratings and effective dates.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for new examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and osteoarthritis of the hands, do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to failure to substantially comply with prior remand directives.

The Board found that the Appellant did not have current bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues were also addressed but are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left ankle and foot disabilities, have resulted in a combined evaluation of 80 percent. The Board has granted TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD meets the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU and precludes him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his work and education background.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with alcohol dependence is granted.,The earlier effective date claim for service connection of PTSD with alcohol dependence prior to February 15, 2011 is legally insufficient and dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted based on his inability to secure or follow gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression, NOS and alcohol use disorder has been granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent since the grant of service connection. The decision is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment, social isolation, depression, and difficulty with concentration.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability has been rated at 50 percent since March 29, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as his symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but total occupational and social impairment has not been shown. The criteria for a disability rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and PTSD, as well as an increased rating for migraine headaches.,Service connection was not granted for ischemic heart disease due to lack of evidence of a current disability. Service connection was also not granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD causes anger and irritability, to include physical and verbal altercations with coworkers and family; sleep disturbances and sleep impairment; intrusive thoughts and flashbacks; guilt; avoidance of distressing memories, thoughts, feelings, and external reminders of his in-service stressors; occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity; a persistent negative emotional state; diminished interest or participation in significant activities; hypervigilance; problems with concentration; anxiety; suspiciousness; and mild memory loss. However, the Veteran's PTSD does not cause total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, effectively dismissing the case.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding cervical dysplasia. The remaining issues have not been granted as service connection is denied for ulcerative colitis, chronic respiratory disorder, chronic bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left arm paresthesia, pancreas disorder, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the Veteran's PTSD.