PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% rating since August 18, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizophrenia, has been reopened. The Board finds that the current acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (schizophrenia) was incurred in service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted with a rating in excess of 50 percent from January 20, 2016 onwards. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are denied as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's esophageal cancer and diabetes mellitus are not service connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder. The decision also grants service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents, and was not caused or aggravated by the service-connected PTSD.,Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, hypertension increased in severity proximately due to or the result of service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying in-service stressors. A new VA examination is also needed to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's PTSD with aggravated tic disorder is currently rated at 100 percent, which constitutes total occupational and social impairment. As a result, the issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 24, 2014. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted. The issues of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure and an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective from January 11, 2011, due to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for earlier effective date is denied as the criteria were not met prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and thus grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to address his posttraumatic stress disorder and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, depressed mood, anxiety, and chronic sleep impairment. The criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and bipolar disorder.,Service connection is also granted for tinnitus. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that new evidence supports a finding of service connection. The Veteran is also granted service connection for memory loss and balance problems, but the specific etiology remains unclear.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and he is considered unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.