PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's IBS has been productive of severe impairment throughout the appeal period, warranting a 30% disability rating effective July 28, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD has been shown to be productive of occupational impairment and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood due to symptoms not adequately contemplated by the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation. The Board finds this evidence more clinically characteristic of the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining unit history and incident reports from his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been productive of reduced reliability and productivity, thus the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial disability rating for his left inguinal hernia, repaired with scar. For PTSD prior to April 28, 2016, the Veteran meets the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating. From April 28, 2016, he does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted and rated at 30 percent effective July 23, 2008. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating prior to October 12, 2009, but from October 12, 2009, they warranted a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since February 29, 2012. The Board found that the Veteran met the criteria for a 70 percent rating based on his symptoms of suicidal and homicidal ideation; depressive disorder; alcohol use disorder; anger and irritability, including physical and verbal altercations with former colleagues and strangers, and causing him to verbally abuse his spouse; sleep disturbances and chronic sleep impairment; nightmares; intrusive thoughts and flashbacks; guilt; avoidance of distressing memories, thoughts, feelings, and external reminders of his in-service stressors; avoidance of crowds; feelings of detachment and estrangement from others; flattened affect; difficulty concentrating; hypervigilance; exaggerated startle response; depressed mood; persistent inability to experience positive emotions; anxiety; panic attacks in large crowds and at social gatherings; tension; headaches when discussing in-service trauma; suspiciousness; difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships; difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances; impaired impulse control; lack of motivation to participate in activities; and reckless or self-destructive behavior.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and her nonservice-connected PTSD and GAD. The TDIU claim cannot be resolved without first reaching a determination as to the appropriate evaluation for the Veteran's depressive disorder.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has identified several in-service stressors and is requesting further verification of one incident involving a fellow GI bringing back a live shell from the battlefield.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The claim for chronic fatigue syndrome and sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's in-service stressor is credible and there is a link between his current symptoms and his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to a higher initial disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since March 17, 2011, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in the medical records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety, is found to be etiologically related to his military service. Service connection for PTSD has been granted. The right elbow disability claim was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 10 percent from June 4, 2008 to April 24, 2013 and 70 percent thereafter. The claim for TDIU prior to January 1, 2015 has also been granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for hypertension, depression, PTSD, adjustment disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and erectile dysfunction prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral flatfoot, hallux valgus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and paranasal sinusitis. The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this disability.

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