PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board also granted a TDIU effective July 3, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee disability status post total knee replacement are all service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, make it impossible for him to obtain or maintain gainful employment consistent with his educational background and work history. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from November 29, 2012.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, to include anxiety and depressive disorder due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Board also granted service connection for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, originally claimed as PTSD, is not related to or caused by any event in service.,The right ankle disability was also determined to be unrelated to events in service.

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

The Veteran is currently assigned a 70 percent rating for his service connected acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, bipolar disorder type 2 and major depression. He also has a 10 percent rating for narcolepsy without cataplexy.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and foot disorder have been reopened, but further development is needed to address the merits of these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) remains pending.

The Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.,There is no evidence of a current left knee disability in the record.

The Veteran's PTSD was not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to March 21, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no credible supporting evidence of the Veteran's reported in-service stressors, and therefore service connection for PTSD cannot be established. The acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD are not related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated occupation and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but total occupational and social impairment has not been demonstrated since the October 26, 2010 effective date of service connection to September 20, 2016. The criteria for a 70 percent rating are met.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and migraine headaches have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment, meeting the criteria for TDIU from January 6, 2015. The Board has also determined that he is unemployable prior to this date due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of TBI are currently rated at 10 percent, and his acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating.,The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted a 30 percent disability rating effective September 23, 2011. The claim for migraine headaches was also granted but at the same time.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI residuals have been rated appropriately, with the PTSD receiving a 50% rating since October 9, 2012. The TBI residuals are rated at 40% prior to that date and 50% thereafter. The Veteran is found unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, most recently characterized as an unspecified depressive disorder, is at least as likely as not etiologically related to in-service events and service connection for this condition is granted.