PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, CAD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The evidence received since the April 2003 decision did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and confirming in-service stressors. A new VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any present Axis I psychiatric disorders.

The Board finds that there is clear and convincing evidence that the Veteran was not gainfully employed at the time of the discontinuance of TDIU benefits, and thus restoration of TDIU from May 1, 2015 is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms during the appeal period resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating of 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Anxiety Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS), based on credible evidence of a grenade explosion during basic training. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran's current heart disorder is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection was denied for PTSD due to insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis under DSM-5.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and severe depressive disorder, is currently rated at 70 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected rhinitis and/or PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 8, 2016. From September 8, 2016, his PTSD manifested as occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent from May 3, 2011 to November 19, 2012 and at 50 percent from November 20, 2012 to June 11, 2016. Since June 12, 2016, his PTSD has been rated at 100 percent.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted since May 3, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 23, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD and associated depression have been rated at 50 percent since April 24, 2009. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms such as intrusive recollections, avoidance behaviors, sleep impairment, and anger issues.

The Board found the evidence against a finding that the Veteran has PTSD, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for higher initial disability ratings for PTSD and post-operative scar. As a result, the Board dismisses these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records, service treatment records, and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities, stroke, and left eye scar.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at a 30% level from March 4, 2009 through January 21, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms of his PTSD were more severe and warranting a 50% rating as of April 16, 2010.

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbosacral strain was reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent effective February 1, 2012. The reduction is considered improper due to lack of consideration of the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.344 and the VA examination report used did not reflect a material improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims for a higher disability rating for PTSD prior to May 11, 2017, and TDIU for the time period prior to that date.