PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private mental health records, providing an addendum opinion from the September 2015 VA examiner regarding PTSD diagnosis related to in-service stressors and whether periods of AWOL are related to a psychiatric disorder, and addressing the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The symptoms described by his treating physicians indicate significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bipolar Disorder, and Depression, which is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, groin disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), and respiratory disability (COPD). The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's PTSD resulted in manifestations that more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to May 27, 2014.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD, is rated at 50 percent prior to March 14, 2014. His right ankle disorder was not granted a compensable rating prior to March 21, 2014.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of headaches, and the Board finds that his reported history of headaches is not credible. Therefore, service connection for headaches cannot be granted.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with hypertension but there is no evidence linking this condition to his military service. As such, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: a claim for increased ratings for PTSD with MDD, and a TDIU claim. The Board has determined that the issues are inextricably intertwined due to the overlap between the PTSD rating and the TDIU claim. As such, both claims have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the service-connected disabilities do not meet criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's recurrent right ear perforated tympanic membrane and recurrent otitis media are rated under Diagnostic Codes 6201-6211.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol abuse resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to September 26, 2013, and with deficiencies in most areas since then. The appeal is granted for the initial rating of PTSD and alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all found to be related to service. The Veteran is granted higher initial ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability to include arthritis and plantar fasciitis is related to her military service, and she has been granted a rating of 70 percent for her adjustment disorder with depressed mood and PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD, was initially rated at 50 percent prior to December 28, 2009. The rating has been granted and is maintained.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The VA determined that a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD is warranted.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, as there was no link between the current diagnoses and in-service stressors. The Veteran's statements were considered to be outweighed by other evidence against the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has PTSD as a result of enduring enemy mortar attacks while serving in Iraq, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including PTSD, headaches, diabetes mellitus type 2, tinnitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy) preclude the Veteran from caring for some of his daily personal needs such as taking his medications, bathing, and preparing his meals without the regular assistance of another person and he needed assistance on a regular basis to protect him from the hazards and dangers in the daily environment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and affording the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the current severity of her service-connected disabilities. The appeal is now pending before the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, as there is credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor and a link between current symptoms and the verified in-service stressor.