PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD disability is manifested by total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating. As the only service-connected disability, this leaves no question of law or fact to decide regarding the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment since December 31, 2009. The Board has determined that a 100 percent rating is warranted for his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the Veteran's contentions regarding in-service events and their relation to his current psychiatric disorders. The issue of service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder will be re-evaluated based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from April 21, 2011. He also received SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, primarily PTSD with major depressive disorder, has caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total impairment. The VA determined that a higher initial rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder due to service. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including nightmares and flashbacks, worsened after he stopped taking two medications due to syncopal falls. Despite this, his suicidal ideation resolved with the help of medication adjustments and job search support.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of additional evidence and a discussion of the impact of newly service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and psychosis, were not manifested in service or related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The appeal is also deferred due to its inextricability with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of serious symptomatology including intrusive thoughts about his military service, avoidance, isolation, irritability, anger, sleep disturbances, nightmares, anxiety, depression, disturbances of mood and motivation, difficulty in stressful circumstances, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. However, total social and occupational impairment has not been shown.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the Veteran's acquired general psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, did not begin during service or was otherwise caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The issues on appeal are whether the Veteran should receive a higher evaluation for his PTSD and if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a finding of both granted and denied aspects of this claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability in any of these conditions as per VA standards. For PTSD, the Board found that the Veteran's stressor was credible and linked to his military service. However, for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability and therefore, service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, or anxiety disorder cannot be established.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, which meets the criteria for TDIU. However, his other conditions (such as tinnitus) do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.