PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold weather injury to the left foot and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim for residuals of cold weather injury to the left foot was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis in accordance with DSM criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifest by total occupational and social impairment since October 25, 2005, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The heart disorder is also not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and primary insomnia were granted increased ratings, with the effective date set at July 13, 2015. A TDIU was also granted prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an increased rating for PTSD, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder. The weight of the competent, probative evidence does not establish service connection for PTSD, but finds that there is as likely as not a relationship between current symptoms and reported combat-related in-service stressors.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's anxiety neurosis with PTSD has been characterized by moderate occupational and social impairment, but neither deficiencies in most areas nor total occupational and social impairment is shown or more nearly approximated. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating of in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was not shown to be etiologically related to his active service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to consider new evidence and provide a complete record for the claims of PTSD disability rating, hypertension service connection, and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the Veteran's dementia, which prevented a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 29, 2008. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD, back disability, and right knee disability are all granted as service-connected. The Board found that the stressor for PTSD occurred during active duty, and there is no indication of a superimposed injury or disease in service. The back condition was not shown to be related to service due to congenital defect without additional disability. The right knee disability does not appear to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective February 21, 2017. The Board found the evidence supported a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, as he has maintained at least part-time employment throughout the appeal period with only temporary, short-term periods of unemployment related to budgetary or contracting issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and stressor verification.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 5, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression warrant a 50 percent rating for the entire appeal period, as his symptoms meet the criteria for reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression with alcohol and marijuana dependence are rated at 70 percent, warranting a higher evaluation. The Veteran also has additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more disabling, which is separate from his TDIU.