PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are not related to service. The most probative evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as he did not return the required VA Form 21-8940 and his statements regarding employment were inconsistent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disability is manifested by depression, anxiety, and an explosive disorder. The medical opinions are in relative equipoise regarding whether these conditions were incurred during service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD under the applicable criteria and thus, service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's current mental health diagnoses are found to be related to his physical health problems rather than to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the current 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have resulted in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating.,Prior to April 20, 2010, the Veteran's CAD was manifested by an ability to perform a workload of more than 7 to 10 METs with dyspnea, fatigue, and angina, warranting a 30 percent rating. Since April 20, 2010, but no earlier, his CAD has been manifested by an ability to perform a workload of more than 3 METs (metabolic equivalent) but not greater than 5 METs with dyspnea, fatigue, and angina; warranting a 60 percent rating.,Since January 27, 2008, but no earlier, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's discharge from service in July 2006 was not a bar to VA benefits due to her military sexual trauma and determined she should be granted benefits for PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of all issues before the Board during a March 2017 hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracic spine disability has been reopened, but the evidence does not support this claim. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent and his claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and consideration of whether he is entitled to TDIU based on impairment attributable to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for pes planus and Barrett's esophagus with GERD, denied service connection for PTSD, fibromyalgia, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, erectile dysfunction, a dental condition for treatment purposes, and a dental condition for compensation.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his service, specifically handling dead bodies and firing weapons during service in Somalia. The claim for service connection for any other psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are found to be related to his in-service experiences, and the Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The claims of service connection for tinnitus and PTSD have been granted.,Service connection has been established for tinnitus, with a determination that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. The appeal for a TDIU was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service records and verifying an in-service stressor. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to his periods of active service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been found to be manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating.